Hello doctor,I am a beta thalassemia minor, but my wife is not. Recently my 5-year daughter was diagnosed with beta-thalassemia major (heterozygous). She is active and playful. No problem reported yet, but her Hb level is between 7.8 to 8.8 from starting. Her spleen is enlarged as diagnosed in USG. Will she be transfusion dependent? Please advice.
Hello, Welcome to the ChatDoctor. If you are having thalassemia minor and your wife is thalassemia negative than there is no chance of acquiring thalassemia major in your child.So your wife must also have thalassemia minor if your child is thalassemia major. Your child\s attached report suggestive of thalassemia major (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The only treatment in thalassemia major is either bone marrow transplantation or regular blood transfusion to maintain hemoglobin level within range. So your child might need a routine blood transfusion to maintain hemoglobin within range. She can be given an iron tablet, but it will not work in your child case as she has thalassemia major. I am sorry to say, but your child will need a blood transfusion for the treatment of low hemoglobin.  You can consult nearby good hematologist or the place where bone marrow transplantation facility is available, which is a curative treatment for thalassemia major. But it is costly treatment. I hope I have answered well of your question in detail. I will guide you further if needed. 