Worldwide estimates suggest thalassaemia is
present in up to 6.5% of the human population
(Boe, 2013), with various degrees of clinical
manifestation depending on the level of acuity
at diagnosis. Women can remain silent carriers
of the disease until childbearing years when
pregnancy induces symptomatic haematological
and coagulation changes, leading to diagnosis
of thalassaemia. Anaemia is the most common
diagnostic indication of thalassaemia, causing
symptoms of pallor, lethargy and shortness