Thalassemia
An inherited blood disorder in which the body makes less hemoglobin than normal, leaving children dependent on regular blood transfusions for life. Sundas Foundation provides these transfusions completely free of cost.
What is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that reduces the body's ability to produce hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Children with Thalassemia Major typically require a blood transfusion every two to four weeks, for life.
Pakistan has one of the highest rates of Thalassemia in the world, with thousands of new cases every year. For most families, the lifelong cost of transfusions, iron chelation and testing is simply unaffordable.
Signs & symptoms
- Severe anemia, fatigue and weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Slow growth and delayed development in children
- Bone deformities, especially in the face
- Abdominal swelling and dark urine