by Titi Singer, MD
Hematologist
Children’s Hospital and Research Center at Oakland

Treating severe forms of thalassemia with regular blood transfusions has been an important advance in the management of thalassemia over the past 30 years. Transfusions are given in order to correct anemia (low hemoglobin level) and minimize the other clinical manifestations of the disease, such as bone changes and enlarged liver and spleen. In order to accomplish these goals, most patients require blood transfusions every three to four weeks with a blood amount of 10–15cc/kg (approximately two to three units of blood).

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by Laurice Levine, MA, CCLS
Thalssemia Outreach Coordinator
Children’s Hospital and Research Center at Oakland

(Click here to see Laurice’s talk at the 8th Cooley’s Anemia Symposium)

Thalassemia is a rare and complex disease which in the past took the lives of children prior to their teenage years. Thankfully, due to improved technology and medical advances, the lifespan for thalassemics now extends into adulthood. Consequently, serious consideration must now be given to adult care.
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