Beta Thalassemia Trait (Minor)

Also known as: beta thalassemia minor.

What is beta thalassemia trait (minor)?

Thalassemia is a medical condition in which the body makes less hemoglobin than usual. It causes anemia. There are two types of thalassemia, alpha and beta. In Beta thalassemia two genes are involved. When one of these two genes are missing, it can lead to beta thalassemia trait, or beta thalassemia minor. A person with beta thalassemia minor has less severe symptoms than beta thalassemia major but can still pass along the genes to their children.

What causes beta thalassemia trait?

Beta thalassemia minor is a genetic disease, and the abnormal gene is passed along from a parent to children. A person who receives just one beta thalassemia gene will be born with beta thalassemia minor.

What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia minor?

Possible symptoms of beta thalassemia minor include anemia, tiredness, weakness, pale skin, poor appetite, repeat infections, abdominal swelling, slow growth and more. These symptoms will be less severe than beta thalassemia major.

What are beta thalassemia trait care options?

In most cases, beta thalassemia minor does not require treatment. Medicines and blood transfusion are possible treatments in some cases.

Reviewed by: Athena Pefkarou, MD

This page was last updated on: July 05, 2022 01:53 PM