Outline of Treatment with Beta Thalassemia - 2085 Words

I.Introduction A. Personal Story about mother and brother B. Information about beta thalassemia 1. Common in people of African, Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern descent 2.Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide with beta thalassemia has the most common of the group due to the more than 250 mutations in hemoglobin beta have been linked to causing Beta thalassemia (according to the DNA Learning Center) II.What is Beta Thalassemia? A. Beta thalassemia is a genetic disorder that disturbs the normal production of hemoglobin due to abnormalities in the genes that affect the one or both beta chains on chromosome #11 1.The two Beta globin chains aid the oxygen carrying ability of oxygen in red blood cells B. Three Types: 1. Beta Thalassemia major or Cooley’s anemia a) Both of the #11 chromosomes are abnormal b) Does not appear in a child from three months to a year 2.Beta Thalassemia intermedia a) Milder clinical symptoms compared to Cooley’s anemia 3.Beta Thalassemia minor a)Silent carrier with few or no symptoms b)At most patients have mild anemia though it can resemble a mild iron deficiency anemia C.Diagnosis 1. Blood test a)Complete blood count (1)A complete blood test which measures the hemoglobin in and the quantity, size, number, and maturity of red blood cells b)A reticulocyte count (1) Indicates whether bone marrow is producing adequate red blood cells c)a prenatal blood test to determine if unborn baby has it and how severe it is likely to be