Thalassaemia trait

[Deadwasp]

My son was poorly 2 yrs ago and routine bloods showed he had thalassaemia trait. I was advised by hospital doc to take him for repeat bloods when he is a teenager. Put it to the back of my mind as upset about the implications for him as a parent and how to tell him.

I have now had a dd (8months old) when should I have her tested for it?

Have you and their Dad been tested to see if one or both of you are carriers? A child can only have thalassemia major when both parents carry the gene.

I have sickle cell trait, I think it is similar. I don't think that the trait has a significant impact on your health. It may become an issue if they happen to decide to have children with another carrier, but thats a long way off. On the plus side it offers some protection from malaria!

Have you seen the sickle Cell & Thalassemia Society website?

www.tscs.in/

Thanks I was tested in pregnancy and didn't have anything so must e hubby. He isn't the type to go for tests so can't confirm its him but must be if it's not me. Also I haven't told anyone as I think it's a private thing and my in laws will tell everyone everything make a big deal and I don't want my son to know just yet. However I feel a bit guilty as dh has siblings should I tell them to be tested?

I have thalassaemia trait - I found out when I was pregnant but had no idea previously. I really don't think you need to worry unduly - it's pretty rare, although more common among some ethnic groups. It would only be a concern if his partner also had the same trait, when the condition could cause a problem for a child (but only a 1 in 4 chance of a problem - not a certainty).

Did your dd have a heel prick test done? In our area (London) the bloods are routinely tested for these traits, and as nothing came up on DS2's I have been told it is safe to assume he doesn't have the trait. (I don't know about DS1 as the same tests weren't offered at that time). I imagine it is something I will mention when he's older, if it hasn't come up in the meantime - to be honest I haven't given it much thought!

Please don't worry, I really don't think it's a big deal.

Could you ask your GP refer you to someone to talk it through with. When two of my dc were found to be sickle cell carriers we were offered appointments (can't remember who with) I didn't go because having been a carrier myself I really didn't think it was anything to worry about. I will however caution my boys about accidental pregnancy, though that goes for all three of them.

Thanks for reassurance, my kids had heel prick but don't think they test for thalassaemia. Will speak to GP

I saw this thread through google and I've only joined to say please don't worry. It's pretty common where I'm from. I went for a blood test when I was nine as, amongst the Greek community, everyone is very open about it. This is because, as it is so common, it used to be the case that many children with the full thalassaemia were born. My own grandmother lost 4 brothers to it. Therefore, as long as people are more open with it, the risk of having more children born with full thalassaemia is greatly reduced.

I am now 26 and can honestly say that, until now, beta-thalassaemia trait has barely affected my life. Only now, when I want to have kids but, unfortunately I have married someone with the same trait, is it a problem. However, we are going through IVF with PGD - Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. This means that after our ivf process, any embryos that are growing well will be tested for beta thalassaemia. Only those that are healthy or have only the trait will be transferred into my uterus. As you can see, the medical profession will even transfer embryos with the trait, so it's really not so bad! Your child may get a little tired, they may get anaemia, they may not even notice! It's very easy to live with. Just be open and honest so that they grow up knowing what it's all about!

Best of luck xxx

PGD thanks so much for your post. I wish you every success withIVF. Finger crossed. I really appreciate hearing your opinion it has reassured me.

Thanks again and all the best. X