Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder triggered by the absence or reduced production of hemoglobin. It is regarded as a genetic or hereditary insufficiency in the permutation of beta globin chains (Galanello and Origa). A newly born child needs two globin genes from each of the parents to generate beta globin chains. If one or two of these genetic factors or materials are deficient, it will form into the beta thalassemia disease. Moreover, beta thalassemia also hinges on how many genes are transmuted. Beta thalassemia minor is produced if only one of the globin genes is mutated. If both the two globin genes from each parent are mutated, disease indications can be moderate or severe; forming what is known as Cooley’s anemia.
Beta thalassemia is prevalent among those who are of Mediterranean descendants; hence, forming the name, Mediterranean anemia. It is correspondingly more predominant and widespread in North Africa and parts of West Asia. Sixteen out of a hundred of the population in Maldives and some landmasses in the Indian Ocean are also transmitters of this disease (Nordqvist).The dominance of beta thalassemia is ultimately high in regions where malaria is common and pervasive. A patient with thalassemia disease attributes has a normal life expectation. Death in this type of disease is majorly initiated by heart difficulties of excess in iron production (“Thalassemia: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology”).
Furthermore, the increasing occurrence of alpha and beta thalassemia in the said prevalent areas points out that the proper application of different effective medications or remedies must be available. These can include proper anemia and/or thalassemia screening, psychoanalysis, and pre-natal findings, which have to be duty bound and be counted in the healthcare system. Challenges in running a drive for an operative and responsive healthcare can be oppressed if there will be awareness presented for everyone in need of medical support.
Works Cited
Galanello, R. and Origa, R. “Beta-thalassemia major.” orpha.net. Orpanet, 2014. Web. 29
Nordqvist, C. “What is thalassemia? What causes thalassemia?” medicalnewstoday.com.
Medilexocon International Limited, 26 Sep 2014. Web. 29 November 2014
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263489.php>.
“Thalassemia: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology.”ironhealthalliance.com. Novartis AG,
2014.29 November 2014>.
< http://www.ironhealthalliance.com/disease-states/thalassemia/epidemiology-and-
pathophysiology.jsp>.
