Daily Times

Sir: Thalassaemia is a blood disorder inherited from parents and makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Haemoglobin is made of two proteins: Alpha and Beta globins, and ensuing thalassaemia is separated into two major types, Alpha and Beta thalassaemia. Alpha thalassaemia occurs most commonly in persons from Southeast Asia. Beta thalassemia is also of public health importance in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. Screening for a thalassaemia trait (BTT) is necessary for family counselling. Carriers of beta-thalassaemia trait (BIT) can have varying degrees of anaemia. Some of them have no symptoms and, therefore, can be detected only in a population survey or as part of a family study, if other members are symptomatic or have thalassaemia major. Pre-marital tests for both major types of thalassaemia are very important in a population where close marriages are not uncommon. These tests can save many lives that could suffer from genetical disorders after birth if both parents had a typical genetic makeup. Conversely, there is a need to understand how to get accurate results from labs, which could correctly differentiate between major and minor types of thalassaemia. Severity of thalassaemia depends upon the number of genes affected in both parents. Inheriting defective genes from both parents leads to development of thalassaemia major. Thalassaemia minor usually occurs if someone receives the defective gene from only one parent, and this form of disorder-carrier usually does not have symptoms. Mis-diagnosis of thalassaemia, and incorrect tests and their interpretation can be damaging and could cause a hindrance for couples to getting married.

HABIB HYDER LAGHARI

Via e-mail

Avoidable diseases

Sir: Thalassaemia is a blood disorder inherited from parents and makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Haemoglobin is made of two proteins: Alpha and Beta globins, and ensuing thalassaemia is separated into two major types, Alpha and Beta thalassaemia. Alpha thalassaemia occurs most commonly in persons from Southeast Asia. Beta thalassemia is also of public health importance in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. Screening for a thalassaemia trait (BTT) is necessary for family counselling. Carriers of beta-thalassaemia trait (BIT) can have varying degrees of anaemia. Some of them have no symptoms and, therefore, can be detected only in a population survey or as part of a family study, if other members are symptomatic or have thalassaemia major. Pre-marital tests for both major types of thalassaemia are very important in a population where close marriages are not uncommon. These tests can save many lives that could suffer from genetical disorders after birth if both parents had a typical genetic makeup. Conversely, there is a need to understand how to get accurate results from labs, which could correctly differentiate between major and minor types of thalassaemia. Severity of thalassaemia depends upon the number of genes affected in both parents. Inheriting defective genes from both parents leads to development of thalassaemia major. Thalassaemia minor usually occurs if someone receives the defective gene from only one parent, and this form of disorder-carrier usually does not have symptoms. Mis-diagnosis of thalassaemia, and incorrect tests and their interpretation can be damaging and could cause a hindrance for couples to getting married.

HABIB HYDER LAGHARI

Via e-mail

Avoidable diseases

Sir: Thalassaemia is a blood disorder inherited from parents and makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Haemoglobin is made of two proteins: Alpha and Beta globins, and ensuing thalassaemia is separated into two major types, Alpha and Beta thalassaemia. Alpha thalassaemia occurs most commonly in persons from Southeast Asia. Beta thalassemia is also of public health importance in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. Screening for a thalassaemia trait (BTT) is necessary for family counselling. Carriers of beta-thalassaemia trait (BIT) can have varying degrees of anaemia. Some of them have no symptoms and, therefore, can be detected only in a population survey or as part of a family study, if other members are symptomatic or have thalassaemia major. Pre-marital tests for both major types of thalassaemia are very important in a population where close marriages are not uncommon. These tests can save many lives that could suffer from genetical disorders after birth if both parents had a typical genetic makeup. Conversely, there is a need to understand how to get accurate results from labs, which could correctly differentiate between major and minor types of thalassaemia. Severity of thalassaemia depends upon the number of genes affected in both parents. Inheriting defective genes from both parents leads to development of thalassaemia major. Thalassaemia minor usually occurs if someone receives the defective gene from only one parent, and this form of disorder-carrier usually does not have symptoms. Mis-diagnosis of thalassaemia, and incorrect tests and their interpretation can be damaging and could cause a hindrance for couples to getting married.

HABIB HYDER LAGHARI

Via e-mail

Sir: Thalassaemia is a blood disorder inherited from parents and makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Haemoglobin is made of two proteins: Alpha and Beta globins, and ensuing thalassaemia is separated into two major types, Alpha and Beta thalassaemia. Alpha thalassaemia occurs most commonly in persons from Southeast Asia. Beta thalassemia is also of public health importance in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. Screening for a thalassaemia trait (BTT) is necessary for family counselling. Carriers of beta-thalassaemia trait (BIT) can have varying degrees of anaemia. Some of them have no symptoms and, therefore, can be detected only in a population survey or as part of a family study, if other members are symptomatic or have thalassaemia major. Pre-marital tests for both major types of thalassaemia are very important in a population where close marriages are not uncommon. These tests can save many lives that could suffer from genetical disorders after birth if both parents had a typical genetic makeup. Conversely, there is a need to understand how to get accurate results from labs, which could correctly differentiate between major and minor types of thalassaemia. Severity of thalassaemia depends upon the number of genes affected in both parents. Inheriting defective genes from both parents leads to development of thalassaemia major. Thalassaemia minor usually occurs if someone receives the defective gene from only one parent, and this form of disorder-carrier usually does not have symptoms. Mis-diagnosis of thalassaemia, and incorrect tests and their interpretation can be damaging and could cause a hindrance for couples to getting married.

HABIB HYDER LAGHARI

Via e-mail