It is important that your child take penicillin as directed. Painful episodes can occur with sickle beta zero thalassemia. These painful episodes occur most commonly in the back, stomach, arms, and legs. They can last for a few hours to as much as a week or more. Occasionally, the pain is accompanied by swelling.
Painful episodes can vary in severity of the pain and the duration.
There are medications to help ease the pain and make your child more comfortable. Often, children with sickle beta zero thalassemia have a slightly enlarged spleen, but this usually does not cause any problems. Your child will also need to make several visits a year to see a hematologist or blood specialist.