WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OF THALASSAEMIA – major and minor. “If an individual inherits a defective Hb gene from either parent, he/she has thalassaemia minor (the person is a carrier). People who inherit defective genes from both parents have thalassaemia major,” explains Dr Arora. Those with thalassaemia minor do not show symptoms of the disease and lead a normal life. But individuals with thalassaemia major suffer from its adverse effects and require regular blood transfusion. Asked how research is helping with the treatment, Dr Arora says that gene therapy and cord blood transplantation, where stem cells from the umbilical cord blood of the mother are transplanted in the child with thalassaemia, could be of help. Foetal haemoglobin inducer drugs are also used to increase haemoglobin levels.