What is Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia major is a serious hereditary blood disorder. These patients cannot produce sufficient haemoglobin and thus require monthly blood transfusion to sustain life. Unfortunately, frequent blood transfusion would result in excessive iron deposit in the body and affect proper functioning of various organs; hence, iron chelation must be administered by slow subcutaneous infusion daily for 8 to 10 hours.

Thalassaemia in Hong Kong

One out of 8 or 12.5% of the HKSAR population is a Thalassaemia carrier. If both parents are carriers, then there is one fourth chance (25%) that their offspring will be a Thalassaemia Major patient.