In thalassemia, a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream causes signs and symptoms that the body doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin.
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Mild Disease (Who has alpha/beta thalassemia trait)
No major signs and symptoms, but the patient may feel tiredness. The mild anaemia caused by the alpha thalassemia trait might be mistaken for Iron deficiency.
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Mild to Moderate Disease (Who have beta thalassemia intermedia)
Slow growth/FTT-Failure to Thrive and delayed puberty
Bone problems such as bone may become brittle and break easily due to bone marrow expansion
In addition,an enlarged spleen because the spleen has to work hard to remove the abnormal hemoglobin containing red blood cells and help produce new red blood cells.
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Severe Disease
The signs and symptoms usually occur within the first 2 years of life.
- A pale and listless appearance
- Poor appetite
- Dark urine (a sign that the red blood cells are breaking down)
- Slow growth/FTT-Failure to Thrive and delayed puberty
- Jaundice
- An enlarged spleen / liver / heart
- Bone problems (especially with bones in the face)
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Irritability
- Protruding abdomen
- Facial bone deformities
- Fast heartbeat
