The word “thalassemia” comes from Greek, meaning “a sea without salt.” Thalassemia refers to a group of inherited metabolic blood disorders that affect the globin chain of haemoglobin.
Moreover, The chain is composed of four proteins called alpha chains, beta chains, and δ chains. Alpha-Thalassemia and Beta-Thalassemia are extremely similar, yet they are different from each other.
Key Takeaways
- A deficiency in alpha-globin causes alpha-thalassemia, while a deficiency in beta-globin causes beta-thalassemia.
- Alpha thalassemia is more common in individuals of Asian descent, while beta thalassemia is more common in individuals of Mediterranean descent.
- Beta thalassemia can be more severe than alpha thalassemia and may require regular blood transfusions.
Alpha-Thalassemia vs Beta-Thalassemia
Alpha-thalassemia is a genetic disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin. It is caused by mutations in the alpha-globin genes. Beta-thalassemia is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the beta-globin genes. It can cause more severe anaemia and other health complications.
Alpha Thalassemia refers to a group of inherited metabolic blood disorders that affect the globin chain of haemoglobin. Moreover, when the alpha chain is defective, the cells cannot survive and die.
This can result in severe anaemia. The primary symptom of Alpha thalassemia is the production of inadequate amounts of haemoglobin.
Beta-thalassemia is a hereditary metabolic blood disorder that affects beta chains in red blood cells that further reduces the production of normal red blood cells, and causes poor oxygen transport to tissues and organs.
A person suffering from Beta-Thalassemia may have anaemia, but it does not result in severe anaemia and death.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Alpha-Thalassemia | Beta-Thalassemia |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Alpha-Thalassemia is an inherited metabolic blood disorder that happens when the alpha chain is defective. | Beta-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes reduced levels of the beta chains that form part of hemoglobin. |
| Cause | Alpha-Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder where one of the α-chains is defective. As a result, it produces a very low hemoglobin level. | Beta thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that reduces levels of the beta chains in red blood cells, which reduces the production of normal red blood cells. |
| Types | There are four different types of Alpha-Thalassemia, including Hb H, carrier, silent carrier, and major. | There are three different types of Beta-Thalassemia, including Hb E, Hb S, and Hb C. |
| Symptoms | Severe Anemia, fatigue, jaundice, and pale skin color. | Anemia, fatigue, pale skin color, and low red blood cell counts. |
| Diagnosis | DNA analysis, blood chemistry, and globin chain analysis. | Blood tests may include red blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and DNA analysis. |
What is Alpha-Thalassemia?
Alpha-thalassemia is an inherited metabolic blood disorder that affects the globin chain of haemoglobin. Globins are protein complexes that combine with myoglobin to form the haemoglobin molecule.
Moreover, The globin chain is composed of four proteins called alpha chains, beta chains, and δ chains. For each chain, one α-chain replaces another α-chain at a time in developing blood cells during fetal development.
A person with alpha-thalassemia has two copies of one or more of the globin genes of the globin chain. Each chain has its own gene.
The most common single-chain thalassemia is thalassemia intermedia, which occurs when one of the α-chains is defective.
Moreover, when one of the alpha chains is present in the red blood cells, it produces a sufficient amount to support the body’s needs. If the globin chain is defective, then the cells cannot survive, and they might die.
A person who carries two defective alpha chains, one from each parent, produces a very low haemoglobin level.
Patients with this disorder must take regular blood transfusions to replace the missing globin chains because their bodies cannot produce enough of the needed globin chains.
An Alpha-Thalassemia patient has a life expectancy of 20–30 years from birth if untreated.
What is Beta-Thalassemia?
Beta-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes reduced levels of the beta chains, which form part of haemoglobin in red blood cells.
Moreover, this disorder is characterized by the reduced production of normal red blood cells.
Reduced levels of haemoglobin lead to anaemia, which can result in pale skin color, feeling tired and weak, shortness of breath, and swelling.
There are three different types of Beta-Thalassemia, including Hb E, Hb S, and Hb C.
The prevalence of Beta-Thalassemia varies depending on the type, which is why doctors must perform a thorough physical examination before determining the condition of a patient’s health.
Beta thalassemia can be difficult to diagnose because many people with the disorder don’t have any symptoms.
Some possible symptoms include anaemia, fatigue, pale skin color, and low red blood cell counts. Beta-thalassemia may also cause liver or spleen abnormalities.
The inherited blood disorder Beta-Thalassemia is found in individuals with one parent who has Beta-Thalassemia. However, it can also occur in people who don’t have an affected parent.
The inherited blood disorder Beta-Thalassemia is diagnosed based on the person’s family history and medical history.
A complete physical exam will also help determine whether a person has Beta-Thalassemia. Blood tests may include red blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and DNA analysis.
Main Differences Between Alpha-Thalassemia and Beta-Thalassemia
- Alpha-thalassemia is an inherited metabolic blood disorder that happens when the alpha chain is defective, whereas Beta-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes reduced levels of the beta chains that form part of haemoglobin.
- Alpha-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder where one of the α-chains is defective. As a result, it produces a very low haemoglobin level, whereas Beta thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that reduces levels of the beta chains in red blood cells, which reduces the production of normal red blood cells.
- There are four different types of Alpha-Thalassemia, including Hb H, carrier, silent carrier, and major, whereas There are three different types of Beta-Thalassemia, including Hb E, Hb S, and Hb C.
- Some possible symptoms of Alpha-Thalassemia include anaemia, fatigue, jaundice, and pale skin color, whereas Some possible symptoms of Beta-thalassemia include anaemia, fatigue, pale skin color, liver or spleen abnormalities, and low red blood cell counts.
- Diagnosis of Alpha-Thalassemia can be made by DNA analysis, blood chemistry, and globin chain analysis, whereas Diagnosis of Beta-Thalassemia Blood tests include red blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and DNA analysis.
Last Updated : 31 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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