Beta-thalassaemia

Beta-thalassaemia is a form of thalassaemia.

Description of beta-thalassaemia

The beta-globulin gene located on chromosome 11 is damaged and recessive patients develop the disease if both alleles are affected. Haemoglobin is defective and red blood cells are also affected. Oxygen is transported less well in blood and the disease is therefore fatal at a young age.

Symptoms and treatments of beta-thalassaemia

The symptoms are treated with regular blood transfusion and removal of excess iron from the blood although these are not curative treatments. Advances in gene therapy are offering hope of possible recovery from this genetic disease.