Thalassaemia encompasses a group
of autosomal-recessive conditions involving the
abnormal production of red blood cells and
reduced haemoglobin levels (Machin, 2014). The
disease presents with various physical symptoms
depending on the acuity of the condition, and is
divided into three diagnostic groups determined
by the level of severity of symptoms and degree of
systemic involvement in the condition (Chakrabarti
et al, 2014). These groups categorise thalassaemia
into minor, major and intermedia conditions,
classifying a range from asymptomatic carriers
(thalassaemia minor) to infusion-dependent
people with reduced prognosis and early morbidity
(thalassaemia major). The disease simplified is a
mutation in erythropoiesis caused by reduced or
absent alpha and beta globin chains that combine
to form a red blood cell (Voskaridou et al, 2014).
Haemoglobinopathies occur, which cause the
onset of thalassaemia traits.
The management of women diagnosed