The severity of thalassemia depends on:

The severity of thalassemia is largely determined by the number of affected genes. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin production, which is essential for oxygen transport in the body. The disorder is classified into two main types: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia, based on which part of the hemoglobin molecule is affected.

In alpha thalassemia, the severity can range from mild to severe depending on how many of the four alpha globin genes are affected. If one or two genes are affected, the symptoms may be mild or even absent. However, if three or four genes are impacted, it leads to a more severe form of the disease, known as hemoglobin H disease or alpha thalassemia major, potentially causing significant health complications.

Similarly, in beta thalassemia, the severity increases with the number of affected beta globin genes. Those with one affected gene typically present with a mild form (beta thalassemia minor), while individuals with two affected genes may experience severe symptoms and require regular blood transfusions (beta thalassemia major).

Understanding the correlation between the number of affected genes and disease severity is crucial for diagnosing and managing patients with thalassem