Stem Cell Transplantation
Beta Thalassemia
Beta thalassemia minor, or trait
This form of thalassemia is caused when only one of the two beta genes is abnormal, causing mild anemia. People with this condition may have few or no symptoms. It is often confused with nutritional anemia and treated with iron supplements, which do not help and may lead to other problems if given for extended periods of time. Those with beta thalassemia trait have a 50/50 chance of passing the gene on to each child, who would also have beta thalassemia minor if the other beta gene is normal. In order to have more severe forms of the illness, a child must inherit a gene from each parent.
Beta thalassemia intermedia
Caused by mild mutations on one or both of the beta genes, this form of thalassemia creates mild to severe anemia. These patients may be diagnosed in early childhood or sometimes not until later in life. People with this condition do not require regular blood transfusions for survival, but they do require careful medical management to stay healthy and avoid complications of the illness and often require blood transfusions during significant illness or pregnancy.
Beta thalassemia major
This form of thalassemia, originally called Cooley's anemia, is the most severe form of beta thalassemia. It is caused by significant mutations on both of the beta chains. Patients with this illness require frequent blood transfusions to survive. They also require chelation therapy to remove excess iron that can build up in their bodies and cause extensive damage.
