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Alpha Thalassemia
The alpha thalassemia is caused by a decrease in production of alpha globin chains due to a deletion or mutation of one or more of the four alpha globin genes located on chromosome 16. Alpha gene mapping can be obtained to determine the specific mutation. The alpha thalassemia can be generally categorized as:

• Silent Carrier
• Alpha Thalassemia Trait
• Hemoglobin H disease
• Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring
• Alpha Thalassemia major

Alpha Thalassemia trait in a parent is often discovered after the birth of an effective child.

Minor/carrier/trait : They appear perfectly healthy, however where two carriers decide a family there is one in four chance that their child could inherit their carrier genes and develop Beta Thalassemia Major, one in four of a child being normal and 50% chance of the child also being a carrier.

Thalassemia Intermedia : A clinical expression for a condition between Carrier and Major .They often run a hemoglobin of 7-9 g/dl. They need transfusions only at times as their Hb drops with infection or any stress on the body. Especially during pregnancy or leg ulcers(seen with chronic hemolytic anemias ).

Thalassemia Major : : In thalassaemia major, red blood cells are destroyed almost as soon as they are produced and the bone marrow cannot produce a sufficient number to replace them. This condition requires intensive medical care, including 2-3 weekly transfusions, Iron chelation therapy by giving desferrioxamine injections or by giving oral chelators. For many years, it was thought that thalassemia major patients were untreatable and would inevitably die at an early age. We now know however , that with proper treatment , patients can lead full and fulfilling lives.

Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) is registered as a non-profit organisation under Cyprus Company Law (Registration number 30576). The Federation is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors (maximum two per country) elected for a term of 4 years. Under the terms of TIF's Constitution, at least 50% of its Board Directors must be patients with thalassaemia. The educational work of TIF is supported by a wide Advisory Panel of national and regional medical/scientific collaborators and patients of international expertise from 60 countries. Headquarters TIF has its headquarters in Nicosia, Cyprus, and is staffed currently with 10 employees. See TIFs Organogram here.