Context:
Recently, World Thalassaemia Day was observed on May 8th.
More on the news
- The theme of 2024 is “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassaemia Treatment for All.”
- The focus of this day is to raise awareness about thalassemia and to promote equal and accessible treatment for those who live with it.
History of World Thalassaemia Day
- In the year 1994, World Thalassaemia Day was first established by the Founder of the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) Panos Englezos.
- Every year since 1994, the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) has organized many diverse activities for International Thalassaemia Day.
Thalassemia
- It is a group of inherited (genetic) blood disorders that reduce the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin, an important protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- People with thalassemias inherit genes from one or both parents that cause this reduced production. The severity of the condition depends on the specific type and the number of genes inherited.
- Thalassemia is a treatable disorder that can be well-managed with blood transfusions and chelation therapy.
There are two main types of thalassemias:
- Alpha thalassemia: This type results from a deficiency in the production of alpha globin, one of the protein chains that make up hemoglobin.
- Beta thalassemia: It is caused by a homozygous mutation (beta-zero thalassemia) of the beta-globin gene, resulting in the total absence of beta chains.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Shortness of breath
- Slow growth and development in children
- Bone deformities
- Enlarged spleen