When normally b-thal major symptoms start to appear?

Hi to everyone. First of all, congratulation for creating this page. I have read thru the page and everyone is so wonderful and supportive. Please excuse my English. I am from Malaysia, suspected thal minor (cant be sure if its a or b), no confirmation test carried out. But due to my high RBC, normal HB with persistenly low MCV and MCH, doctor suggested that I might have thal minor. My daughter is now almost 10 months old. My wife is currently pregnant with our 2nd baby (13 weeks) and still waiting for her thalassemia test result (her cbc indicates anemia with low hb,mcv and mch). Unfortunately, no thal test was carried out during her pregnancy with our first daughter, MyAmaanat (Gods gift to me) Lil Nuha. So far Nuha is a bit slow in development (weight and height are in the 3rd-10th percentile). Other than that, she is quite active, feeding well. I didnt notice any significant paleness, jaundice or severe fatigue in her. I am worried that she might inherit something serious. My questions are:
  1-When do normally symptoms of b-thal major start to appear in infants/babies?
  2-When do normally symptoms of b-thal intermedia start to appear in infants/babies?
  3-If there are no symptoms, by what age can I safely ruled out thal major/intermedia?
Any feed backs on my question is greatly appreciated. My pray goes out for everyone here.

Best Regards.
MAN

My questions are:
  1-When do normally symptoms of b-thal major start to appear in infants/babies?

The symptoms of B-Thal Major ususally appears within first six months of birth.

  2-When do normally symptoms of b-thal intermedia start to appear in infants/babies?

Moderate or intermedia thalassemias usually are diagnosed in early childhood. This is because signs and symptoms, including severe anemia, often occur within the first 2 years of life.

 3-If there are no symptoms, by what age can I safely ruled out thal major/intermedia?

This is where you should be focusing on. For you to safely rule out either major or intermedia, you need to do hemoglobin electrophoresis test and if possible DNA testing of your child immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to arrive, only valid testing can determine the true status of thal in a child.

And I will add that the child is showing signs of thal with such a low percentile, so please do as Canadian Family has asked. Get the child tested ASAP.

Thank you Canadian Family and Andy for your response. Indeed,I am planning to get Nuha tested but for now,my wife suggested to wait for her hb electro test first which should be out in couple of weeks. I will try to convince her otherwise and in the mean time I am praying hard that our Nuha is fine.

One more question is,if i have A-thal trait(I vaguely remember the Doc told me I might have A-thal trait) and my wife diagnosed to have B-thal trait, would our child inherit major/intermedia?..

Thank you again and keep up the excellent works you guys have done here. I wish many more Malaysians become a member here coz we have so little info on thal available in our country,whether online or anywhere else.

Regards,

MAN

And I will add that the child is showing signs of thal with such a low percentile, so please do as Canadian Family has asked. Get the child tested ASAP.

Sign in slow percentile,is it referring to major or intermedia?..Tq Andy

I can't tell you that. Testing can.

I can't tell you that. Testing can.

I will get Nuha tested ASAP. Tq for your advise.

I can't tell you that. Testing can.

I am sorry but I have to ask you Andy a couple more question?..
1. I did notice that my daughter is having trouble to fall into sleep lately and her breathing is rougher. I have read that one of the BTM symptoms is sleepless. If I may ask,in what way can you explain how does BTM causing sleepless?
2. From the many symptoms of BTM,normally which appear first (paleness,jaundice,bone deform,crankiness,poor feeding),the real indication that the child might have BTM..or they all come together..

Tq again and warm regards.

Low Hb means less oxygen available in the body. Hence the trouble breathing and this may also affect the sleep.

The symptoms mentioned will indicate the possibility of thalassemia. You need to get a complete blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis test done ASAP. If the child needs to transfuse, the sooner the better.

Dear Member,

I understand, you have lots of questions and and you are trying to relate the symptoms of your child to classic thal symptoms. Your child is exhibiting some early symptoms of thalaasemia such as lack of sleep, poor feeding etc. Again, you cannot diagnose a thalassemia with the symptoms alone.

Act fast as in get the child tested ASAP and you will find answers to your questions with respect to diagnoses.

Thalassemia is not a fatal condition. Some of the symptoms you mentioned like bone deformation are thing of the past, with proper care your child will live normal life.

We are all here to help you and your child.

Tq Andy and Canadian Family. I really appreciate your feedback and response. I have scheduled an appointment and will update on Lil Nuha. Tq again

Warm Regards.