Clinical thalassemia (major and minor)

Alternative names:

Cooley's anemia; Mediterranean anemia; thalassemia; thalassemia major

Treatment:

With severe thalassemia, regular blood transfusions and folate supplementation are given. People who receive the blood transfusions should avoid iron supplements and oxidative drugs such as sulfonamides, because iron levels can become toxic. Bone marrow transplant is being investigated as a treatment.

Expectations (prognosis):

In severe thalassemia, death from heart failure usually occurs between the ages or 20 and 30.

Complications:

Iron overload as a side effect of treatment can cause damage to the heart, liver and endocrine systems. This complication is managed by daily injections of an iron chelating agent which binds iron to it and causes it to be excreted in the urine.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms develop that are suggestive of thalassemia.

Call your health care provider if symptoms develop after treatment.