What is thalassaemia?

Thalassaemia is a group of inherited blood conditions in which the body makes less of one of the protein chains that build haemoglobin — the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. The main types are alpha and beta thalassaemia, depending on which chain is affected.

In beta-thalassaemia major, the imbalance damages red cells as they form (called “ineffective erythropoiesis”) and shortens their survival, causing severe anaemia. Children usually come to attention in the first two years of life, and without treatment there is failure to thrive and an enlarged liver and spleen.

With modern care — regular transfusions, iron control and monitoring — people with thalassaemia live full, active lives. It isn’t catching, and it isn’t caused by anything you did.