Thalassemia

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – HC notice to govt. on plea to restore free supply of medicine for thalassemia patients

Concept –

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder wherein the body produces an inadequate amount of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein molecule that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. This disorder results in the extreme destruction of red blood cells that leads to anaemia.
- Anaemia is a condition in which the haemoglobin or red blood cells are less than the normal count.
It is an inherited disease which is mainly caused due to the abnormal haemoglobin synthesis. It is transferred by one of the parents who is a carrier of this disease due to either deletion of particular key gene fragments or a genetic mutation.
Mild thalassemia requires no treatment, but acute thalassemia might require regular blood transfusions.

Sickle Cell Disease

It is an inherited disease caused by defects, called mutations, in the beta globin gene that helps make hemoglobin.
The red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”.
The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.