Thalassaemia

FACT:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally at least 5% of adults are genetic carriers for a haemoglobin condition.

THALASSAEMIA AND GENETIC BLOOD DISORDERS

Thalassaemia is the name given to a group of genetically inherited blood disorders. These disorders affect haemoglobin production in the red blood cells.

Haemoglobin is a protein in the blood cells that carries oxygen around our bodies and is made up of two very important protein chains Alpha (a) and Beta (b) globin.

Thalassaemia is passed on from parent and child through the genes. Genes carry information about human characteristics such as eye colour, hair colour and haemo(globin).

Some changes occur to genes, resulting in medical conditions. The globin genes carry information for individuals to make haemoglobin, however changes in the globin genes can result in the following:

Beta Thalassaemia Major

a severe anaemia requiring life long treatment, including monthly blood transfusions.

Alpha thalassaemia

one type can be fatal for baby and dangerous for mother during pregnancy.

Sickle cell anaemia

a condition which may require regular blood transfusions. Extremely painful blockages of blood vessels occur throughout life due to changes in shape of the red blood cells.

Haemoglobin E

Victoria Fact Sheets

• Alpha Fact Sheet
• Beta Fact Sheet
• Family Fact Sheet
• Haemoglobin E Fact Sheet
• Sickle Fact Sheet

New South Wales Fact Sheets

• Alpha Fact Sheet
• Beta Fact Sheet
• Family Fact Sheet
• Haemoglobin E Fact Sheet
• Sickle Fact Sheet

South Australia Fact Sheets

• Alpha Fact Sheet
• Beta Fact Sheet
• Family Fact Sheet
• Haemoglobin E Fact Sheet
• Sickle Fact Sheet

Western Australia Fact Sheets

• Alpha Fact Sheet
• Beta Fact Sheet
• Family Fact Sheet
• Haemoglobin E Fact Sheet
• Sickle Fact Sheet

Queensland

• Alpha Fact Sheet
• Beta Fact Sheet
• Family Fact Sheet
• Haemoglobin E Fact Sheet
• Sickle Fact Sheet

For Further Information please go to:

www.genetics.edu.au

www.geneticshealthvic.net.au

http://www.thalassaemia.org.cy

Translated thalassaemia fact sheets

Language	Downloadable Factsheets
Arabic	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Cantonese	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Greek	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Italian	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Mandarin	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Nuer	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Sinhalese	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Tamil	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning
Vietnamese Tiêng Viêt	Beta Thalassaemia Alpha Thalassaemia Haemoglobin E Sickle Cell Anaemia Family Planning