2019 Scientific Update: Transfusion Guidelines for Thalassemia

The thalassemias are inherited anemias caused by mutations that reduce the synthesis of the globin chains of hemoglobin molecule. Beta thalassemia major is associated with the development of life-threatening anemia during the first or second year of life. Severe fetal anemia in alpha thalassemia major (or Bart’s hydrops fetalis) is fatal during the intrauterine period. Less severe forms of alpha and beta thalassemias are heterogeneous disorders with a varying degree of anemia. The introduction of effective red blood cell (RBC) transfusions 50 years ago was a critical step in transforming thalassemia from a severe, fatal anemia into a chronic condition.
In this webinar, Dr. Elliott Vichinsky and Dr. Ashutosh Lal will review the range of complications associated with RBC transfusions in thalassemia, as well as describe the guidelines for transfusion therapy in beta thalassemia major, the most common form of transfusion-dependent thalassemia. The webinar will also address transfusions in alpha thalassemia major, and recommendations for non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia.
This webinar is part of the Public Health Webinar Series on Blood Disorders from the CDC.