How did thalassemia originate?
How did thalassemia originate?
Thalassemia, or Mediterranean anemia, was first described in 1925 by a Detroit physician who studied Italian children with severe anemia (low levels of red blood cells), poor growth, huge abdominal organs, and early childhood death. In 1946, the cause of thalassemia was found to be an abnormal hemoglobin structure.
Who coined the term thalassemia?
The actual term thalassemia was coined by George Whipple (14, 15). How this term arose remains obscure, although it is reported that early patients were mostly of Mediterranean origin. During the 1960s a genetic basis of the thalassemia diseases was proposed, linking them to unbalanced globin chain synthesis (16, 17).
When was thalassemia discovered?
Beta thalassemia major was first described in the medical literature in 1925 by an American physician – Thomas Cooley. Beta thalassemia major is also known as Cooley’s anemia.
Why is thalassemia called Cooley anemia?
In this condition, the lack of alpha protein is great enough to cause severe anemia and serious health problems such as an enlarged spleen, bone deformities and fatigue. It is named for the abnormal hemoglobin H (created by the remaining beta globin) that destroys red blood cells.
What is the difference between thalassemia minor and major?
Thalassemia minor is a mild form of the disease in which the patient inherits only one mutated gene and act as a carrier. Thalassemia major is a severe form of the disease that can cause serious illness. Thalassemia is a group of genetic blood disorders that is characterized by destruction of red blood cells and hemoglobin higher than normal.
Is thalassemia more common in one ethnicity?
However, particular ethnic groups are more likely to be affected and 5-30% of the population may be symptomatic among these groups. Alpha-thalassemia is particularly common among populations of Southeast Asian descent, and there are a high number of carriers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Pacific regions.
How did thalassemia get its name?
The name thalassemia comes from the ancient Greek word for sea, thalassa , as the ancients believed it was an “illness that came from the sea”. In 1925, pediatrician Thomas Benton Cooley published a work on thalassemia. This was the first description of the disorder, and for a long time it became known as Cooley’s anemia.
What is the history of thalassemia?
Thalassemia, also known as Mediterranean anemia, is an ancient group of diseases that have existed for over 7,000 years. The name thalassemia comes from the ancient Greek word for sea, thalassa, as the ancients believed it was an “illness that came from the sea”.
Thalassemia minor is a mild form of the disease in which the patient inherits only one mutated gene and act as a carrier. Thalassemia major is a severe form of the disease that can cause serious illness. Thalassemia is a group of genetic blood disorders that is characterized by destruction of red blood cells and hemoglobin higher than normal.
However, particular ethnic groups are more likely to be affected and 5-30% of the population may be symptomatic among these groups. Alpha-thalassemia is particularly common among populations of Southeast Asian descent, and there are a high number of carriers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Pacific regions.
The name thalassemia comes from the ancient Greek word for sea, thalassa , as the ancients believed it was an “illness that came from the sea”. In 1925, pediatrician Thomas Benton Cooley published a work on thalassemia. This was the first description of the disorder, and for a long time it became known as Cooley’s anemia.
Thalassemia, also known as Mediterranean anemia, is an ancient group of diseases that have existed for over 7,000 years. The name thalassemia comes from the ancient Greek word for sea, thalassa , as the ancients believed it was an “illness that came from the sea”.