Khoon Chala..

yesterday was a birthday well spent..for a change, I landed up at Epicentre, an exhibit auditorium in Gurgaon (probably the only one) to witness a sensitive yet interesting theater play on Thalassemia.Titled Mr. & Mrs. Nayyar, the drama was based upon a family which copes with the adversities related to the disease.Thalassemia is a relatively "ignored" issue in India but the awareness is steadily increasing.Basically the haemoglobin count goes on decreasing, if not replenished on a continuous basis.
Regular medical visits and blood transfusion are a must for avoiding any complications.

Theres a 25 % chance that two thalassemic minor parents can give birth to a thalassemic major child.So this disease is mainly hereditary.
There are a number of tests that need to be done and a follow up is required at all times to keep the patient in proper condition. Family & Social support is a very important factor while dealing with thalassemia.

for more on Thalassemia: heres a good link..
http://sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/menu_thal.html