The two main types of thalassemias are called alpha and beta thalassemias. Thalassemia is a hereditary disease and cannot be caught from another child who has it. It is passed on through parents who carry the thalassemia gene in their cells. A carrier has one normal gene and one thalassemia gene in their cells. This carrier s state is also called thalassemia trait.
Most carriers lead a completely normal and healthy life.
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. In addition, prenatal testing can detect or rule out thalassemia in the fetus. Early diagnosis is important so that treatment can prevent as many complications as possible. Thalassemia cannot be prevented at this time but a program of health education, testing for this trait, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnoses can provide families with full medical information to help them to understand the impact of the disease. Remarkable progress has occurred in the treatment of Cooley s anemia during the past 30 years.