Children nowadays are more important to their parents than their own lives. Although it is the continuation of one's own life, the flesh that falls off the mother's body naturally becomes so intimate. This is what people often say about the unbreakable blood relationship. The health of children is also a concern for parents. So, what are the symptoms of Mediterranean anemia in children.
What are the symptoms of Mediterranean anemia in children
1. Mediterranean anemia, also known as thalassemia, is a group of genetic diseases. The pathogenesis of this disease is that the reduction or deletion of the globin chain that synthesizes hemoglobin leads to structural abnormalities in hemoglobin, which can be prematurely destroyed by the body's liver, spleen, and other organs, resulting in anemia and even developmental abnormalities. This disease is medically known as hemolytic anemia. Mild patients may be asymptomatic or present with mild anemia, while severe patients may be asymptomatic at birth and develop chronic progressive anemia from 3 to 12 months old, with pale complexion, poor development, and often mild jaundice. Symptoms become increasingly apparent with age. Mild patients do not require special treatment, while severe patients require blood transfusion and iron removal therapy. For complete cure, bone marrow transplantation is necessary.
2. Moderate patients have no obvious symptoms at birth and behave normally like most newborns. However, after infancy, they may experience anemia, fatigue, edema, liver and spleen enlargement, and mild jaundice. As one grows older, facial changes such as widened eye distance and flattened nose bridge may occur, as well as respiratory infections. Taking certain medications can lead to acute hemolytic anemia and even hemolytic crisis, which can be life-threatening.
3. Do not abuse blood tonifying drugs, and strictly control the indications of various drugs. For example, vitamin B12 and folic acid are suitable for treating megaloblastic anemia; Iron supplements are only used for iron deficiency anemia and cannot be used for non iron deficiency anemia, as they can cause excessive iron load and affect the function of important organs; Vitamin B6 is used for iron granulocytic anemia; Corticosteroids are used to treat autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Testosterone is used for conditions such as aplastic anemia.
The editor has provided a detailed explanation of the symptoms of Mediterranean anemia in children. However, getting this disease is still very scary, and there is a risk of death if one is not careful. Therefore, it is very necessary for parents to arrange a physical examination for their children every two to three years. Of course, if conditions are good, it is also possible to have a physical examination once a year.
