Q: I have a great niece living in New Delhi, India who is four years old. Six months following her birth her parents discovered that she had thalassemia. She’s been getting blood transfusions every 28 days. Her parents thought that having another child might help but unfortunately the HLA of the second child did not match. The question now is, what is her future, how can she be helped and is there any cure?

I am a US citizen, living in the USA since 1963. I am trying to explore all possibilities to help this child. You have been very helpful to millions of people and they open up to you and benefit from your kindness. I am hoping to get good advice from you, too. Thank you for your help.

A: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body produces an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The condition results in excessive destruction of red blood cells that, in turn, leads to anemia. There are several types, to include Cooley’s and Mediterranean anemia, alpha and beta thalassemia.
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