[mountaineermom]

I just got a message from pediatrican saying that FS may have a condition called alpha thessalemia, which is a type of anemia that can be very serious (similar to sickle cell, I think) We go next week to a hemotologist to find out for sure. I have never heard of this before. Has anyone ever had any children with this condition, or any experience?
Any help would be appreciated.

[millie58]

no. Good luck and keep us posted!

[snc2007]

Alpha thalassemia is the correct spelling. This should get better google results for you.

No experience with it though. Sorry.

[mountaineermom]

Thanks For The Correct Spelling! I Was Trying To Google It And Couldnt Find Anything. The Girl That Called From The Pediatrican's Office Spelled It Incorrectly.
I Really Hope His Tests Come Back Negative, He Already Has Soooo Many Health Problems, He Doesnt Need Another Problem To Overcome

[laceyc]

I have a friend with it and she is 32 and fine. The biggest problem she had was when she was pg she was anemic but with thalasemia you can't take iron for the anemia b/c it doesn't help.

[DPline]

My son was tested for it a couple weeks ago and it turned out that isn't what he has, but I had done a fair amount of reading and also talked with someone whose daughter's has it. This is one of the better articles I found as far as readability.

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Thalassemia

Do keep in mind that there are major and minor forms of it. Until the blood test came back negative, our doctor was pretty convinced that was what DS had and his only symptom is chronic anemia. This is also the case with the woman I spoke with whose daughter does have thalassemia. Though down the road she should have genetic testing done before getting pregnant to ensure she and her spouse are not both carriers as it can cause stillbirth and is much more serious in the major form if both parents are carriers. But it doesn't effect her day to day life.

Good luck!

[mountaineermom]

thank you so much for the help

[1HappyMama]

My daughter carries the AT trait, but doesn't have AT. St Jude Children's Reasearch Hospital in Memphis, TN has a hematology department that deals with sickle cell diseases. If his tests come back positive, I would check with your ped about a referral for treatment there, if possible. I realize this is a foster situation, so you have to work with your agency.

[committedsoul]

I have Alpha Thalassemia as well. It is a rare for of anemia that doesn't respond to iron pills and liquid. It must be kept on top of... I found this out the hard way, lol!