Page 74 - Life Insurance underwriting Ebook IC 22

ii) Beta Thalassemia

Types of Beta Thalassemia

 Thalassemia Minor/Carrier/Trait: They appear perfectly healthy; however

where two carriers decide a family there is one in four chances that their child
could inherit their carrier genes and develop Beta Thalassemia Major, one in four

of a child being normal and 50% chance of the child also being a carrier.

 Thalassemia Intermediary: A clinical expression for a condition between Carrier

and Major. They often run hemoglobin of 7-9 g/dl. They need transfusions only at

times as their Hb drops with infection or any stress on the body. Especially during
pregnancy or leg ulcers (seen with chronic hemolytic anemia).

 Thalassemia Major: This condition requires intensive medical care including 2-3

weekly transfusions and desferrioxamine injections, infused daily, for 8-12 hours
at home. Associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, growth and puberty

failure and early menopause and blood transfusion complications such as

hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV infections.

Risk assessment of Anemia

The method of rating will depend on the type or cause (it may occur as a secondary
effect or various acute and chronic diseases) and on the severity of the hemoglobin
and/ or red cell deficiency. If it is clearly identified as anemia associated with chronic
disease, then the rating is usually that of the underlying disorder. However, unexplained
anemia should be postponed pending investigation of the underlying cause. Mild to
moderate degrees of anemia can be regarded with less suspicion in pre-menopausal
females than in males, as menstrual blood loss is a common and usually benign cause.

3. Discuss the important disorders of blood.

a) Polycythemia

Sashi Publications Pvt Ltd Call 8443808873/ 8232083010