Medical Definition of Alpha thalassaemia
1.
A condition characterised by the reduced synthesis of the alpha chain of haemoglobin due to abnormality in one of two or more genes that code for the synthesis of alpha-globin chains. The severity of this condition can vary from mild anaemia to death, depending on the number of genes deleted.
Heterozygous state: severe type, thalassaemia minor with 5 to 15% of Hb Barts at birth, only traces of Hb Barts in adult; mild type, 1 to 2% of Hb Barts at birth, not detectable in adult.
Homozygous state: severe type, erythroblastosis foetalis and foetal death, only Hb Barts and Hb H present; mild type not clinically defined.
See: haemoglobin H.
(05 Mar 2000)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Alpha Thalassaemia
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