Difference between Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassemia

 Sickle cell anaemia is a condition that is passed down through the generations. A point mutation in the gene coding for the beta chain of haemoglobin, specifically a substitution of valine for glutamic acid at location 6 of chromosome 11, causes this blood disease. As a result, the haemoglobin is faulty.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood illness characterised by the production of an abnormal form of haemoglobin in the body. Haemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells. Anaemia is caused by an excess of red blood cell breakdown caused by this condition.

Sickle cell anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia is a type of sickle cell disease that affects a large number of people. It has an effect on the structure of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body.

Because red blood cells are usually spherical and flexible, they can pass through blood vessels with ease. Some red blood cells in sickle cell anaemia have sickle or crescent moon-shaped shapes. Sickle cells become hard and sticky, causing blood flow to halt or stop.

Symptoms of sickle cell anaemia

Symptoms of sickle cell anaemia commonly begin around the age of six months. They differ from one individual to the next, and they may alter over time. The following are examples of signs and symptoms:

Anaemia

-Sickle cells disintegrate and die quickly. Before they need to be replaced, red blood cells normally last for about 120 days. However, sickle cells die in 10 to 20 days, resulting in a red blood cell deficit (anaemia). The body cannot acquire enough oxygen if there are insufficient red blood cells, resulting in weariness.

Causes of sickle cell anaemia

A mutation in the gene that instructs the body to produce haemoglobin, an iron-rich molecule found in red blood cells, causes sickle cell anaemia. Red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs throughout the body thanks to haemoglobin. Red blood cells with sickle cell anaemia become hard, sticky, and malformed as a result of the haemoglobin they contain.

Both the mother and father must have one copy of the sickle cell gene — also known as sickle cell trait — and convey both copies of the altered form to the child in order for the child to be afflicted.

If only one parent carries the sickle cell gene to their child, the youngster will inherit the characteristic. There are two types of haemoglobin genes: one that is normal and one that is abnormal.

Thalassemia

Thalassemias are genetic blood illnesses in which haemoglobin synthesis is reduced. Symptoms might range from none to severe, depending on the type. Anaemia can range from mild to severe (low red blood cells or haemoglobin). Anaemia can make you feel weary and make your skin look pale. Bone problems, an enlarged spleen, yellowish skin, and black urine are all possible symptoms. In children, slow growth is possible.

Thalassemias are genetic disorders that are passed down from one’s parents. Alpha and beta thalassemia are the two most frequent types. How many of alpha globin’s four genes or beta globin’s two genes are missing determines the severity of alpha and beta thalassemia. To identify cancer, blood tests such as a complete blood count, particular haemoglobin tests, and genetic tests are often used. Before the baby is born, prenatal tests may be conducted to diagnose the problem.

Symptoms of thalassemia 

Thalassemia symptoms differ based on the type of thalassemia.

Symptoms of beta thalassemia and some kinds of alpha thalassemia commonly show after 6 months in babies. This is because neonates contain foetal haemoglobin, which is a distinct form of haemoglobin.

After 6 months, “normal” haemoglobin begins to replace foetal haemoglobin, and symptoms may occur.

These are some of them:

• and exhaustion jaundice and pale skin

•Shortness of breath chest pain quick heartbeat slowed growth

•Faintness and dizziness

•Increased infection susceptibility

As the body attempts to manufacture more bone marrow, skeletal abnormalities may occur.

Blood transfusions can cause iron to build up. The spleen, heart, and liver can all be harmed by too much iron.

Gallstones and an enlarged spleen are more common in people with haemoglobin H, a type of alpha thalassemia.

Thalassemia problems can lead to organ failure if left untreated.

Causes of thalassemia 

In blood cells, the protein haemoglobin carries oxygen around the body. The iron in a person’s diet is used by bone marrow to generate haemoglobin.

The bone marrow of people with thalassemia does not create enough healthy haemoglobin or red blood cells. With aberrant haemoglobin, the body can also break down red blood cells. Furthermore, the red blood cells may not be flexible enough to pass through capillaries and reach vital organs. These difficulties can sometimes result in a lack of oxygen, resulting in anaemia and weariness.

Mild cases of thalassemia may not require treatment, while more severe cases will require regular blood transfusions.

Difference between sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia

Thalassemia is a set of diseases characterised by hereditary mutations that reduce the synthesis of either the –globin or –globin chains. Sickle cell anaemia is a severe genetic form of anaemia in which low oxygen levels cause a mutant form of haemoglobin to deform red blood cells into a crescent shape. The main difference between sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia is that thalassemia can affect both and globin chains, whereas sickle cell anaemia affects just the globin chains.

Anaemia is a disorder in which your body lacks enough normal, healthy red blood cells to function properly. Thalassemia is a genetic illness, which means that at least one of your parents must be a carrier. It’s brought on by a genetic mutation or the deletion of critical gene sequences.

Conclusion

Sickle cell anaemia is a condition that is passed down through the generations.Anemia is a disorder in which your body lacks enough normal, healthy red blood cells to function properly.Thalassemia is a set of diseases characterised by hereditary mutations that reduce the synthesis of either the –globin or –globin chains.In blood cells, the protein haemoglobin carries oxygen around the body. The iron in a person’s diet is used by bone marrow to generate haemoglobin.