Is it unusual?

Hi all!

Question for you....

Lauryn has been eating up a storm (to say the least). Her nails are as pink as ever and she is SO alert!!!!   Can her hemoglobin drop to where she needs a tx. even though she is doing so wonderful?  Can her blood tell a different story from her appearance? Basically what im asking is, would she necessarily be lethargic and not eating well to need a tx? oooorrrr....... can they act totally "normal and healthy" and still need a tx? just curious so i kind of know what to expect on monday when we take her to her hemo.....

Any and every opinion is appreciated

thanks!!!!

Hi Christine!

Kids usually go lethargic and pale when low on HB however ever since I grew up, this symptom vanished, maybe it's the will power when we grow up that keeps us ticking even at an HB of 6g/dl in my case.

I hope that Lauryn's test results are going to be just fine when you take her for an HB test next time!

Take care, Peace!

Hi Christine,

Lauryn's still young enough where her fetal hemoglobin level may be high enough for her to continue to thrive. I see no reason to transfuse yet if her growth and development are normal. Thal babies will usually begin to exhibit symptoms at 3 to 6 months. As long as her Hb doesn't drop into the 7-8 range, I don't think transfusion will be advised.

Hi Christine,

What you say is exactly what is happening to my son.  Although his HB ranges from 6 to 7  (it seems that it was always like this but i didn't know ) he is very active and normal child. His rate of illness is like any other child. The only difference is that he is pale and his spleen is enlarged. Other than this  everything is OK.  As i posted before, all was discovered by complete coincidence when i wanted to to know his blood group.

That is why his doctor refuses to make transfusions since he is active and grows normally.

Christine, i think that the child's body adapt itself for what is availble. Maybe in the future this will not be enough. But in all cases don't transfue until there are serious symptoms that can not be neglected or can affect growth

Manal

My daughter did not got the transfusion until she was 9 months, which is after her body stopped making fetal hemoglobin. What really happen in Thalassemia Major is that fetal chains are active upto last minute to produce enough hemoglobin and when their function is suppressed completely the child will need blood transfusion.

Thanks