D56: Thalassaemia
Thalassaemia refers to a group of inherited blood disorders where the body makes fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin, a protein present in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues. Individuals with thalassaemia have reduced oxygen flow, which can lead to anemia, a condition that can make you feel weak or tired. There are two main types of thalassaemia, alpha and beta, named after parts of the molecule that makes hemoglobin. Severity varies, from mild symptoms to severe illness that can affect growth and development. It's caused by mutations in DNA of cells that make hemoglobin and is usually passed from parents to children through genes. Symptoms often develop over time and can include fatigue, growth failure, shortness of breath, and jaundice. Disease progression depends on the type and severity of thalassaemia and affected systems primarily include the blood, heart, and spleen.
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