What is thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by reduced hemoglobin production. In this condition, there is a defect in the genes responsible for hemoglobin synthesis, which leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin or insufficient quantities of normal hemoglobin. This ultimately results in anemia, as hemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen in red blood cells.

The condition can vary in severity, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms and others facing more severe health challenges that require medical management, such as blood transfusions or chelation therapy to manage iron overload from repeated transfusions. Understanding the congenital nature of thalassemia is crucial, as it is passed down through families and is more prevalent in individuals of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe thalassemia. A viral infection affecting red blood cells refers to conditions such as viral hemolytic anemia, while a nutritional deficiency related to vitamin C is related to scurvy, and an acute allergic reaction to blood products describes transfusion reactions rather than a genetic blood disorder.