Beta Thalassemia

Question 1

What is beta thalassemia?

Answer 1

Beta-thalassemia is an underproduction of beta globulin and is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion and is more common in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Asian descent

Question 2

What is Beta+?

Answer 2

Reduced but not absent production of beta globulin

Question 3

What is Beta 0?

Answer 3

Absent production of beta globulin

Question 4

What chromosome is affected with beta thalassemia?

Answer 4

The beta-globin gene is on chromosome 11

Question 5

Outcomes for beta thalassemia major in pregnancy?

Answer 5

Since the introduction of hypertransfusion and iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine in the late 1970s, several reports and case series have documented favorable pregnancy outcomes in women with β-thalassemia major