Does thalassemia affect breastfeeding?

Conclusions: Breastfed infants with beta thalassemia major may accumulate less iron than infants fed iron fortified formula anticipating later onset of iron overload in the breastfed infants. Larger studies are needed to support these findings.

Can you take iron if you have thalassemia trait?

If you have thalassemia trait, your physician may prescribe iron supplements because your red blood cells are smaller than is typical. Unless you also have iron deficiency in addition to thalassemia, this is not needed and should be avoided.

Is iron supplement contraindicated in thalassemia?

People with thalassaemia may be advised to avoid iron supplements because they are at risk of iron overload. Carriers of the thalassaemia gene may be asymptomatic but pregnancy can precipitate anaemia and there is a chance that this may be inappropriately treated with iron replacement.

How does thalassemia affect pregnancy?

Pregnant women with beta thalassemia can develop anemia, which can raise the chances of delivering early. You also may need more frequent blood transfusions during pregnancy for your health and the health of your baby.

What happens if both parents have beta thalassemia trait?

If both parents have the beta thalassaemia trait, there’s a: 1 in 4 chance each child they have will not inherit any faulty genes and will not have thalassaemia or be able to pass it on. 1 in 2 chance each child they have will just inherit a copy of the faulty gene from 1 parent and be a carrier.

Can thalassemia trait turn into major?

The type of thalassemia that a person has depends on how many and what type of traits for thalassemia a person has inherited, or received from their parents. For instance, if a person receives a beta thalassemia trait from his father and another from his mother, he will have beta thalassemia major.

Can I take iron supplements with thalassemia minor?

But iron supplements have no effect on thalassemia. If you have many blood transfusions, too much iron may build up in your blood. If this happens, you will need chelation therapy to remove extra iron from your body. You shouldn’t take iron supplements if you receive blood transfusions.

Can I give blood if I have thalassemia trait?

Thalassaemia and sickle cell Patients with these disorders need regular blood transfusions to stay alive. They benefit from donations from blood donors from a similar ethnic background. More about the need for black donors. If you have the sickle cell trait you can still become a blood donor.

What happens if both parents have alpha thalassemia trait?

If both parents have the gene defect, each of their children has a risk of having alpha thalassemia major. They are also at risk for having hemoglobin H disease, and of being a carrier.

Is it safe to take iron supplements with thalassaemia?

People with thalassaemia may be advised to avoid iron supplements because they are at risk of iron overload. Carriers of the thalassaemia gene may be asymptomatic but pregnancy can precipitate anaemia and there is a chance that this may be inappropriately treated with iron replacement.

Do you need blood transfusions for iron deficiency?

However, in those with ßthalassemia trait, pregnancy can occasionally precipitate anaemia too, and blood transfusions will be required. It is important to be aware that anaemia in such patients may be misdiagnosed as iron deficiency and inappropriately treated with iron replacement. Iron deficiency should be confirmed before iron replacement.

What kind of blood transfusion do you need for thalassaemia?

Thalassaemia is an inherited condition affecting haemoglobin production. The most common outcome is anaemia but complications include spleen enlargement and bone problems. Treatment depends on the severity of the thalassaemia but may involve regular blood transfusions.

What are the side effects of thalassaemia in women?

In women with ß-thalassaemia trait pregnancy can precipitate symptomatic anaemia (see later). Similarly, patients with α-thalassaemia may be asymptomatic or suffer from chronic anaemia. The complications of thalassaemia include slowed growth, bone problems (eg, osteoporosis), and enlargement of the spleen, liver and heart.