thalassaemia
Definition
Noun: * A genetic blood disorder: Thalassaemia is an inherited form of anemia caused by faulty synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin and the premature destruction of red blood cells.
Usage
- Thalassaemia is a serious condition that requires lifelong medical management.
- The doctor explained that the child's fatigue was due to thalassaemia.
- Carriers of the thalassaemia trait usually do not show symptoms but can pass the gene to their children.
Advanced Usage
- "Thalassaemia major": The most severe form of the disorder, often requiring regular blood transfusions.
- Patients with thalassaemia major need careful monitoring for iron overload.
- "Thalassaemia minor" or "thalassaemia trait": A milder, carrier form where a person has one affected gene.
- Genetic counseling is recommended for individuals with thalassaemia minor.
Variants and Related Words
- Thalassemia: An alternative spelling, more commonly used in American English.
- Beta-thalassaemia: A common type caused by reduced or absent synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin.
- Alpha-thalassaemia: A type caused by reduced or absent synthesis of the alpha chains of hemoglobin.
Synonyms
- Mediterranean anemia: An older term, as the condition is more prevalent in people of Mediterranean, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern descent.
- Cooley's anemia: A historical term specifically for beta-thalassaemia major.
Related Medical Terms
- Hemoglobinopathy: A broader category of genetic disorders affecting hemoglobin, which includes thalassaemia and sickle cell disease.
- Hypochromic microcytic anemia: A description of the blood cells in thalassaemia (pale and small).
Noun
-
an inherited form of anemia caused by faulty synthesis of hemoglobin
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