If a person marries a thalassemia minor patient, will the partner also get the same?

Question

Hello doctor,

My sister's partner is a Thalassemia patient. I would like to know if my sister marries him what will be the consequences? Will my sister suffer from that disease, or will it affect her child in the future?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern and will solve all your doubts. In the attached report (attachment removed to protect patient identity), that guy suggests thalassemia minor. You need to investigate for thalassemia for your sister as well.

Kindly investigate with HB electrophoresis by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) method to rule out thalassemia minor of your sister. If your sister also has thalassemia minor, then do not go for marriage. If your sister does not have thalassemia minor, then do not worry and go ahead with the wedding.

I am telling you to investigate for your sister because if both couples are thalassemia minor, then a chance of acquiring a thalassemia major for the future child is 25℅. But if your sister is negative for thalassemia minor, then there is no chance of thalassemia major. Your future child can maximum have thalassemia minor in that case.

Revert to me with your sister's HPLC report.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I forgot to mention that in thalassemia minor, you do not need to worry. Thalassemia minor patient can live normally, and life span is like that of a normal person.

But in thalassemia, major blood transfusion is needed, and life span is short in that.

I hope this helps.