Treating Thalassemia

The vast majority of individuals who have thalassemia do not require regular blood transfusions. There is a small group of individuals who will require a blood transfusion occasionally, and an even smaller group who require transfusions on a regular basis. Generally, this category refers to individuals who are transfusion-independent or who have had a few or occasional transfusions, but who do not need regular, chronic transfusions in order to thrive. The non- or intermittently-transfused patient will usually have beta thalassemia intermedia, Hemoglobin H disease, Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring, or a milder manifestation of E-b thalassemia.

Over the past several decades with the progress of medical technology, this once universally fatal disease has been converted to a chronic illness. Now a fortunate few have the opportunity of cure. Only a precious few children who have this complex disease will be cured by a bone marrow transplant. The rest of these children need continued support and acceptance that they may live normal healthy lives in spite of their illness.

In this section, you will find comprehensive information on the therapies used to treat Thalassemia including blood tranfusion and blood and bone marrow transplantation.