What diet will you recommend for a beta major thalassemia patient?

Q. What diet will you recommend for a beta major thalassemia patient?

Answered by
Dr. Prakash. H. M.
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Jun 26, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jun 05, 2023

Hi doctor,

My daughter, who is 2.5 years old, is suffering from beta major thalassemia. From her three months of age, blood has been transfused either once in 30 or 45 days after checking the blood level. I would request you to kindly advise a good and healthy food diet. Is there any important daily diet required for my child? Please explain.

#

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

  1. Thalassemia is a disease due to reduced globin production in the hemoglobin part of RBC (red blood cells). It is not due to nutritional deficiency, but due to inherited mutation abnormalities.
  2. Yes, nutrition requires improvement. Diet rich in vitamin B12, folic acid along with vitamin C like egg, fish, chicken, citrus fruits, etc.
  3. However, the main concern is regarding regular blood requirements. She will be requiring regular packed red cells transfusion for life. It needs to be safe and from a limited group of people.
  4. We in transfusion medicine, call this as a donor pool. Same blood group, unrelated donors of around 20 to 30 people to reduce the risk of infection and more importantly antibody production. As numerous transfusions occurs, transfusion complications increase.
  5. Hemoglobin needs to be maintained above 10 g% at all times. Iron toxicity risk is present, so iron chelation is necessary regularly.
  6. Creating a donor pool is important. Contact your nearest transfusion medicine specialist in forming a blood donor pool for your kid for life.

Thank you doctor,

Our doctor recommended not to take food, which gives more iron, but increases blood (RBC and hemoglobin) level. So, please recommend us food diet accordingly.

#

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sorry, I went a bit overboard in suggesting about overall nutritional improvement and my emphasis on donor pool diverted the answer I was supposed to give.

  • Yes, iron intake should be reduced. However, reducing protein intake will affect immunity. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential as they are also necessary for the formation of RBCs. Vegetarian diet will be better as iron content is low.
  • Importantly avoid vitamin C or citrus food up to four hours after food as it helps in improving iron absorption.
  • Reduce non-vegetarian diet and try to maintain intake of iron from the overall diet to less than 18 mg per day.
  • Cereals like wheat bran, maize, oats, rice and soy are helpful. Not sure if she takes, but tea and coffee or even milk during meals will reduce iron absorption.
  • Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt will reduce iron absorption, particularly with meals. Make sure, all are non-iron fortified.
  • For the diet, I would recommend cereals, particularly rice, oats or maize along with two cups of tea. You can vary the diet based on taste.
  • If difficult multivitamin supplementation without iron will be very helpful with a cereal based diet including soy protein.
  • Hemoglobin at all times above 10 g% and formation of donor pool is necessary. Regular chelation therapy to avoid iron overload is necessary.
  • Very high iron sources are found in the following foods; they should be avoided or eliminated from the diet:
  1. Avoid protein rich foods like oysters, pork, beans, beef, peanut and butter. 
  2. Avoid grains such as wheat cream, cornflakes, etc.
  3. Avoid fruits and vegetables such as prunes, spinach, green leafy vegetables, dates, raisins, broccoli, etc.

For further information consult a hematologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/hematologist


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
Is my friend's beta thalassemia screening test normal?

Hello doctor, My cousin of 30 years old got tested for beta thalassemia screening test ... Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: The beta thalassemia screening test appears to be normal   Read full

My daughter has beta-thalassemia major. Will she be transfusion dependent?

Hello doctor,I am a beta thalassemia minor, but my wife is not ... Recently my 5-year daughter was diagnosed with beta-thalassemia major (heterozygous) ... If you ar   Read full

How much Folic acid is required during pregnancy in Crohn's patient?

.. read your concern. You need not worry or be anxious about it. Although absorption of Folate may be disturbed because of your Crohns, taking 400 mcg for four months will be good enough. Meaning, you are not deficient from it from the very start but sin   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

ideaComprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case

Also Read


PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions.  Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this.  Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades.  Read more»

Ask your health query to a doctor online?

Ask a Hematologist Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.