Symptoms and signs of beta-thalassemia appear three to six months after birth; a period in which beta chains are produced, and hematopoietic hemoglobin F is converted to hemoglobin A.
Classification of beta thalassemia and its symptoms
Little beta thalassemia
Most people who suffer from this type do not complain of symptoms and signs, while others complain of symptoms of mild anemia such as: lupus, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, vomiting, and difficulty in breastfeeding.
Central Beta Thalassemia
It is between the small and the great, and symptoms: Anemia of moderate intensity, but does not need to transfer blood periodically, and there may be swelling in the spleen.
Great beta thalassemia
Symptoms of this disease include:
- Severe anemia: It results in: paleness, loss of appetite, poor sleep, vomiting, difficulty in feeding, inability to grow, and need for transfusion.
- It breaks in the red blood cells, leading to yellowing of the eyes and skin, and gallstones are caused by the accumulation of bilirubin, which results from the breakdown of hemoglobin.
- Enlargement of the bone marrow to overcome existing anemia leading to the emergence of the bones of the skull and face.
- The production of red blood cells outside the bone marrow leading to enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- Accumulation of iron: The accumulation is increased due to frequent blood transfusion and result in increased absorption of iron in the intestine, which in turn leads to the deposition of iron in the tissues of the body. This leads to several effects that we will address in detail.
Effects of iron accumulation
- Heart: Iron accumulation leads to myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Liver: Iron accumulation leads to liver failure and cirrhosis.
- Pancreas: Iron accumulation leads to diabetes
- Pituitary gland: Iron accumulation can affect body and sexual growth
- Skin: Iron accumulation causes dark patches on the skin.
- Oxford handbook of clinical medicine 8th edition
- Dvidson’s principles and practice of medicine 21st edition
- illustrated textebook of pediatrics -Tom lissauer, Graham Clayden 3rdedition