Abstract

Thalassemia is an inherited disorder of autosomal recessive gene caused by impaired synthesis of one or more globin chains. The impairment alters production of normal hemoglobin (Hb). Thalassemia causes varying degrees of anemia, which can range from significant to life threatening. People of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African, and Southeast Asian descent are at higher risk of carrying the genes for thalassemia. Thalassemia causes varying degrees of anemia, which can range from significant to life threatening. India is a large Southeast Asian country with a population of over one Billion. An estimated 1-3% of the population are carriers of beta thalassemia, a figure rising up to 17% in some ethnic groups.

Description