Beta Thalassemia Screening
Understanding Beta Thalassemia Screening
What is Beta Thalassemia Screening?
Beta Thalassemia Screening is a group of tests performed to check if a person carries the beta trait of thalassemia. It includes the detection of several chains of hemoglobin. Beta thalassemias (β thalassemias) includes a group of inherited blood disorders resulting in reduced or absent synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein which is found in the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues.
What is Beta Thalassemia Screening used for?
If a baby is born a beta thalassemia major, that is detected right after birth beacuse of the numerous symptoms. But people ,who are carriers of the minor trait of beta thalassemia, are normally healthy and may show symptoms of persistent iron-deficient anemia. Such people must get tested before planning a family to make sure that they do not give birth to a beta thalassemia major child.