thalassemia

American  

[thal-uh-see-mee-uh] / ˌθæl əˈsi mi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a hereditary form of anemia, occurring chiefly in people of Mediterranean origin, marked by the abnormal synthesis of hemoglobin and a consequent shortened life span of red blood cells.

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thalassemia Scientific  

/ thăl′ə-sē′mē-ə /

1. Any of a group of inherited forms of anemia occurring chiefly among people of Mediterranean descent, caused by faulty synthesis of part of the hemoglobin molecule

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Etymology

Origin of thalassemia

1932; < Greek thálass ( a ) sea (alluding to the Mediterranean Sea; the anemia was first reported among children in Mediterranean countries) + -emia

Compare meaning

How does thalassemia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• thalassemia vs. anemia

Example Sentences

Parents of children with thalassemia in India say they are devastated after life-saving blood transfusions left their children HIV-positive, confronting them with illness, social stigma, and uncertainty.

From BBC

One example is SUPT5H, a gene associated with beta thalassemia, a blood disorder that disrupts hemoglobin production and can lead to moderate to severe anemia.

From Science Daily

The therapy has already been approved for another inherited blood disorder, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

From BBC

Beta thalassemia mainly affects people of Mediterranean, south Asian, south-east Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds.

From BBC

Another genetic analysis found that women with an inherited blood disorder called beta thalassemia, which produces chronically high levels of GDF15, can protect against morning sickness.

From Salon