PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Thalassemia is a red blood disorder that is passed down from both parents to their children and descendants.

The disease is caused by a reduction or absence of the main protein that forms human hemoglobin.

This causes erythrocytes to rupture easily and causes the patient to become pale due to lack of blood (anemia).

Reported from the Instagram of the Bandung City Health Service @dinkeskota.bdg, there are 3 types of thalassemia based on their symptoms.

First, Thalassemia Major is generally known since infancy with symptoms of appearing pale, weak, lethargic, often sick. These patients require continuous blood transfusions throughout their lives every 2-4 weeks.

Second, Thalassemia Minor/Trait or trait carriers are usually asymptomatic, appear normal but blood tests can find Hemoglobin levels that are slightly below normal.

Third, Thalassemia Intermedia is usually only diagnosed in older children and does not require routine blood transfusions.

Thalassemia is a hereditary disease and not a contagious disease. To prevent it by screening through blood tests.

Screening should be done at adolescence or prospective brides. The goal is to detect whether the prospective father or mother has the gene carrying the thalassemia trait or not.

If the examination shows a positive result for the trait, genetic counseling is necessary before marriage or pregnancy.

For pregnant women, they can do a fetal examination with a special examination during pregnancy at a trained obstetrician to find out whether their child is born with thalassemia or not. (Bandung City Communication and Information Service)