It cannot be caught from another child who has it. The disease is passed on through parents who carry the thalassemia gene in their cells. Most carriers lead completely normal, healthy lives. These odds are the same for each pregnancy when both parents are carriers. Blood tests and family genetic studies can show whether an individual has thalassemia or is a carrier.
Early diagnosis is important so that treatment can prevent as many complications as possible.
The disease can't be prevented at this time, but a program of health education, testing for the trait, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis can provide families with full medical information to help them have healthy children. People who think they may have or carry thalassemia can go to a genetic services center or clinic for the latest information and for testing. Individuals can be tested to find out if they are carriers. Genetic counselors then can help them make plans about future families. Scientists are working on better ways to remove excess iron from the body in order to prevent or delay iron overload.