BETA THALASSEMIA MINOR

Dear
Would legar to know bellow query...

-My son is 9+ old. He got effected Beta Thalassemia minor. We have checked 'Hb Electrophoresis' & result is HbA- 94.6% & Hb A2-5.4. Hb-10.8 g/dl.
pls advice me that the above result iis life risk for my son & suggest any treatment.

BR
Goutam

There is no official treatment for thal minor, as it is not a serious disorder like thal major. My advice is to follow a healthy and nutritious diet and always include exercise in the daily regimen. Thal minor can cause anemia, but this does not respond to iron, so iron should not be taken unless iron deficiency is proven to co-exist with the thal minor. Proper nutrition is most important.

Dear Andy
Thanks a lot to prscribe me. Need to advice bellow 02 points....

1. My local doctor advice me to take tablet Folic Acid in daily basis 01 for my Kids. So; would you advice on this.

2. As my wife also Beta Thal minor but i dont have problem. It will be any cause in our comming 2nd baby. My wife is carrying 34 weeks.

With my Regards
Goutam.

Hey I had some blood tests done couple of days ago! Here how it went:
*HB ELECTROPHORESIS
Hb-A2 2.20%
Hb-F 1.10%

*ESR - 35mm/1st hour
*Retic count - 2.31%

*RBC MORPHOlOGY
Anisocytosis with hypochromia

WBC 7.75 x10.e 3/µl
RBC 3.92 x10.e 6/µl
HGB 10.7 g/dL
HCT 33.6%
MCV 85.7 fL
MCH 27.3 pg
MCHC 31.8 g/dL
%RDW-CV 22.4%
PLT 22` x10.e 3/µl
% Neut 54.6%
%Lymph 40%
%mono 4.9 %
%eos 0.4%
%baso 0.1%
#neut 4.23 x10.e 3/µl
#lypmh 3.1  x10.e 3/µl
#mono 0.38  x10.e 3/µl
#eos 0.03  x10.e 3/µl
#baso 0.01  x10.e 3/µl
MPV is missing due to platelet anisocytosis.

I have been diagnosed as having iron deficiency anemia for last 10 years. Do you think I am a carrier maybe? Do I have thallasemia?

Goutam,

Yes, thal minors can benefit from folic acid and should take it daily.
 Please refer to the post at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,4890.msg46774.html#msg46774 for more information about nutrition in thalassemia.

All children you and your wife have will have a 50% chance of being thal minors. Nothing more serious can result.

Dear Andy
Thnaks a lot...

Goutam

Dear Andy
pls advice;
Beta Thal minor can effect in my child education or memory.
Should you suggest me any diagonus treatment thal minor.

BR
Goutam.

Beta minor can cause some symptoms like tiredness and fatigue and these may affect a child's learning ability. It is important than the child gets plenty of rest and naps when possible. It is important to follow a healthy and nutritious diet, as this will help the child throughout life. The child should also be encouraged to get mild to moderate exercise, depending on how much exercise can be managed. Please review the advice at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,4890.0.html
This will give you more guidance about nutrition.

Dear Andy
As i got information from web link that the '' Wheat grass pwder '' is best for beta thal minor patient. So; Can drink my 10 years boy that powder with water. Is it really effective.
BR
Goutam.

Dear andy
Hope you are well.
My new boy baby born in last week & now he is 1 1/2 weeks old. As my wife is Beta minor & I am normal. I have checked that my new baby HB range is 12.4.
Pls advice what age i have to check his HB Electrophysis. Is there any possibility that he may get thal major.

BR
Goutam
[/quote]

Hi Goutam,

If only one parent is minor, the children will either be minor or normal. Major is only possible when both parents are carriers.