Thalassemias: Prevention
Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders. Thalassemias cause the body to make fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells.
Part of: Thalassemias
About Thalassemia Prevention
You can’t prevent thalassemias because they’re inherited (passed from parents to children through genes). However, prenatal tests can detect these blood disorders before birth.
Family genetic studies may help find out whether people have missing or altered hemoglobin genes that cause thalassemias. (For more information, go to “How Are Thalassemias Diagnosed?”)
If you know of family members who have thalassemias and you’re thinking of having children, consider talking with your doctor and a genetic counselor. They can help determine your risk for passing the disorder to your children.
Living With Thalassemias
Survival and quality of life have improved for people who have moderate or severe thalassemias. This is because:
More people are able to get blood transfusions now. Blood screening has reduced the number of infections from blood transfusions. Also, treatments for other kinds of infections…