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Me and Mummy IVF Centre and Hospital, the best IVF and fertility clinic in India, explains Thalassemia, donor egg IVF cost, and cryopreservation of embryos.

Understanding Thalassemia Major and Minor Types

  • Thalassemia is a genetic disease of defect in haemoglobin chains. There are two types of haemoglobin chains – Alpha and beta
  • We should be majorly concerned about beta thalassemia. If defect in the beta chain is minor, that results in thalassemia minor, which is compatible with life.
  • If defect is major, then the thalassemia major is not compatible with life, without monthly blood transfusions.

Is Thalassemia Major 100% Preventable?

  • Yes. 100 percent preventable. If we know that couple is thalassemia minor, then we can do prenatal tests and know developing fetus status.

Name the test to detect thalassemia.

  • Hb electrophoresis

What are the steps to prevent thalassemia major in baby?

Maternal hemoglobin testing and thalassemia screening during pregnancy

If both parents are thalassemia minor, then what are the chances of a minor child?

Percentages of fetus to have

  • 25% – thalassemia MAJOR
  • 50% – thalassemia MINOR.
  • 25% – with normal haemoglobin LEVEL

In short, there are 75% chances that, the fetus can live a normal life (includes both normal haemoglobin chains plus thalassemia minor haemoglobin chains)