Medical Definition of Beta thalassaemia
1.
Thalassaemia due to one of two or more genes that depress (partially or completely) synthesis of beta-globin chains by the chromosome bearing the abnormal gene. Heterozygous state (A2 t.): thalassaemia minor with Hb A2 increased, Hb F normal or variably increased, Hb A normal or slightly reduced. Homozygous state: thalassaemia major with Hb A reduced to very low but variable levels, Hb F very high level.
A disorder characterised by reduced synthesis of the beta chains of haemoglobin. There is retardation of haemoglobin a synthesis in the heterozygous form (thalassaemia minor), which is asymptomatic, while in the homozygous form (thalassaemia major, cooley's anaemia, mediterranean anaemia, erythroblastic anaemia), which can result in severe complications and even death, haemoglobin a synthesis is absent.
(05 Mar 2000)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Beta Thalassaemia
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