Mild<unk> : people with<unk>  traits do not require medical or follow-up care after the initial diagnosis is made. People with β-thalassemia trait should be warned that their condition can be misdiagnosed as the more common iron deficiency anemia. They should avoid routine use of iron supplements; iron deficiency can develop, though, during pregnancy or from chronic bleeding. Counseling is indicated in all persons with genetic disorders, especially when the family is at risk of a severe form of disease that may be prevented. Anemia People with severe<unk>  require medical treatment. A blood transfusion regimen was the first measure effective in prolonging life. Growth hormone therapy There is some evidence that growth hormone replacement therapy may help to increase the rate at which children with<unk>  grow taller. Iron overload Multiple blood transfusions can result in iron overload. The iron overload related to<unk>  may be treated by chelation therapy with the medications deferoxamine, deferiprone, or deferasirox. These treatments have resulted in improving life expectancy in those with<unk>  major. Deferoxamine is only effective via daily injections which makes its long-term use more difficult. It has the benefit of being inexpensive and decent long-term safety. Adverse effects are primary skin reactions around the injection site and hearing loss. Deferasirox has the benefit of being an oral medication. Common side effects include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It however is not effective in everyone and is probably not suitable in those with significant cardiac issues related to iron overload. The cost is also significant. Deferiprone is a medication that is given by mouth. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are relatively common with its use. It is available in both Europe and the United States. It appears to be the most effective agent when the heart is significantly involved. There is no evidence from randomized controlled trial to support zinc supplementation in<unk> . Bone marrow transplantation Bone marrow transplantation may offer the possibility of a cure in young people who have an HLA-matched donor. Success rates have been in the 80–90% range. Mortality from the procedure is about 3%. There are no randomized controlled trials which have tested the safety and efficacy of non-identical donor bone marrow transplantation in persons with β-<unk>  who are dependent on blood transfusion. Graft-versus-host diseases (GvHD) are one relevant side effect of bone marrow transplantation. Further research is necessary to evaluate whether mesenchymal stromal cells can be used as prophylaxis or treatment for GvHD. If the person does not have an HLA-matched compatible donor, another method called bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from haploidentical mother to child (mismatched donor) may be used. In a study of 31 people, the<unk> -free survival rate 70%, rejection 23%, and mortality 7%. The best results are with very young people.
Thalassemia
Beta thalassemia
Alpha-thalassemia
Hemoglobinemia
Delta-beta thalassemia
Hereditary spherocytosis
Sideroblastic anemia
Diamond–Blackfan anemia