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Cardiology257 papers

Thalassemia

Last edited: 4/13/2026

Overview

Thalassemia encompasses a group of inherited hemoglobinopathies characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, leading to chronic anemia and potential organ damage due to ineffective erythropoiesis and iron overload. 146

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Chronic anemia, fatigue, pallor, jaundice, splenomegaly. 46
  • Laboratory Tests:
  • - Hemoglobin electrophoresis to identify abnormal hemoglobin variants. 78 - Complete blood count (CBC) showing microcytic anemia. - Reticulocyte count often low. - Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation for iron overload assessment. 24
  • Genetic Testing: Confirmatory molecular analysis for specific thalassemia mutations. 737
  • Management

  • Transfusion Therapy: Regular red blood cell transfusions to manage anemia in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). 14
  • Iron Chelation: Use of deferiprone or deferasirox to manage iron overload. 24
  • Splenectomy: Considered in some cases to reduce transfusion needs, though risks include infection and thrombosis. 1
  • Folic Acid Supplementation: To support erythropoiesis.
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation: Curative option for eligible patients. 324
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Successful management with desferrioxamine; close monitoring required. 33
  • Pediatrics: Early diagnosis and regular transfusions crucial; attention to growth and development. 421
  • Comorbidities:
  • - Venous Thromboembolism: Increased risk; prophylactic measures recommended. 1 - Bone Disease: Monitor bone health, consider bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. 11 - Cardiac Involvement: Regular echocardiograms to assess for cardiomyopathy. 24

    Key Recommendations

  • Regular transfusions and iron chelation therapy are essential for managing iron overload in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (Evidence: Strong 124).
  • Prophylactic measures against venous thromboembolism should be considered due to increased risk in TDT patients (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • Early initiation of iron chelation therapy to prevent organ damage is crucial (Evidence: Moderate 24).
  • Regular monitoring of bone health and potential use of bisphosphonates in patients with thalassemia (Evidence: Moderate 11).
  • Genetic counseling and testing are recommended for accurate diagnosis and family planning (Evidence: Expert opinion 7).
  • References

    1 Danilatou V, Papadakis E, Kyriakou E, Nomikou E, Delicou S, Girtovitis F. Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia and Venous Thromboembolism Management: Position Statement from the Steering Committees of Hemostasis and Erythrocyte and Hemoglobinopathies Study Groups-Hellenic Society of Haematology. Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis 2026. link 2 Ahmed R, Alghamdi WN, Alharbi FR, Alatawi HD, Alenezi KM, Alanazi TF et al.. CRISPR/Cas9 System as a Promising Therapy in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Molecular biotechnology 2026. link 3 Maharani IL, Zauhari MH, Kiansantang RA, Wibowo RS, Humaira RN, Dwijayanti A et al.. Systematic review of hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy approach in thalassemia: Comparative analysis in animal models. European journal of haematology 2024. link 4 Boudreaux J. Transfusion management in thalassemia. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2023. link 5 Chen JW, Xu Q, Yang PD, Huang JY, Wei JC. Risk of gout attack not increased in patients with thalassemia: a population-based cohort study. Scientific reports 2023. link 6 Jafri L, Farooqui AJ, Khan AH. An Urgent Need for Local Guidelines to Address Phosphate Homeostasis in Children with Transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia Major. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP 2022. link 7 Long J, Liu E. Identification of the β thalassemia allele β. Annals of human genetics 2022. link 8 Long J, Gong F, Sun L, Lai G, Chen L, Peng M et al.. Identification of Three Families Carrying Hb Anti-Lepore Hong Kong Variant in Guangxi, China, and Analysis of Their Hematological Data. Hemoglobin 2022. link 9 Goldberg EK, Lal A, Fung EB. Nutrition in Thalassemia: A Systematic Review of Deficiency, Relations to Morbidity, and Supplementation Recommendations. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology 2022. link 10 Singer ST, Fischer R, Allen I, Lal A, Vichinsky E, Yuan Q et al.. Pituitary iron and factors predictive of fertility status in transfusion dependent thalassemia. Haematologica 2021. link 11 Manolopoulos PP, Lavranos G, Mamais I, Angouridis A, Giannakou K, Johnson EO. Vitamin D and bone health status in beta thalassemia patients-systematic review. Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA 2021. link 12 Kumar T, Basu S, Kundu R, Majumdar I, Mukherjee D. Lipid Profile in Children With Thalassemia: A Prospective Observational Study From Eastern India. Indian pediatrics 2020. link 13 Barry RM, Chretien C, Kirby M, Gallant G, Leppington S, Robitaille N et al.. Syrian Refugees and Their Impact on Health Service Delivery in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinics Across Canada. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology 2020. link 14 Chaloemwong J, Tantiworawit A, Rattanathammethee T, Chai-Adisaksopha C, Rattarittamrong E, Norasetthada L et al.. Hyperuricemia, urine uric excretion, and associated complications in thalassemia patients. Annals of hematology 2019. link 15 Allen A, Allen S, Olivieri N. Improving Laboratory and Clinical Hematology Services in Resource Limited Settings. Hematology/oncology clinics of North America 2016. link 16 Xu JH, Hao XK, Mu RQ, Pan BS, Zhang J, Peng MT et al.. The effect of thalassemia on erythrocyte reference intervals in a representative Han Chinese adult population. Clinical laboratory 2015. link 17 Piel FB, Weatherall DJ. The α-thalassemias. The New England journal of medicine 2014. link 18 Sherif AA, G/Medhin A, Tadesse F, Tsegaye T. Thalassemia syndrome. Ethiopian medical journal 2014. link 19 Wang YP, Chang JY, Wu YC, Cheng SJ, Chen HM, Sun A. Oral manifestations and blood profile in patients with thalassemia trait. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi 2013. link 20 Haidar R, Mhaidli H, Musallam KM, Taher AT. The spine in β-thalassemia syndromes. Spine 2012. link 21 Fung EB, Xu Y, Trachtenberg F, Odame I, Kwiatkowski JL, Neufeld EJ et al.. Inadequate dietary intake in patients with thalassemia. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2012. link 22 Karnpean R, Pansuwan A, Fucharoen G, Fucharoen S. Evaluation of the URIT-2900 automated hematology analyzer for screening of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in Southeast Asian populations. Clinical biochemistry 2011. link 23 Vlachaki E, Chatzinikolaou K, Bekiari E, Klonizakis F, Tsapas A. Is deferasirox implicated in multiple organ failure in a patient with homozygous β-thalassemia?. Angiology 2011. link 24 Angelucci E, Barosi G, Camaschella C, Cappellini MD, Cazzola M, Galanello R et al.. Italian Society of Hematology practice guidelines for the management of iron overload in thalassemia major and related disorders. Haematologica 2008. link 25 Kneifati-Hayek J, Fleischman W, Bernstein LH, Riccioli A, Bellevue R. A model for automated screening of thalassemia in hematology (math study). Laboratory hematology : official publication of the International Society for Laboratory Hematology 2007. link 26 Evans G. What are the occupational implications of thalassaemia?. Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) 1999. link 27 Parano E, Pavone V, Di Gregorio F, Pavone P, Trifiletti RR. Extraordinary intrathecal bone reaction in beta-thalassaemia intermedia. Lancet (London, England) 1999. link03587-4) 28 Chakova L, Spasova M, Genev E. Thalassemia intermedia in an infant. Folia medica 1998. link 29 Schrier SL. Pathophysiology of the thalassemias. The Albion Walter Hewlett Award presentation. The Western journal of medicine 1997. link 30 Dyson S, Davis V, Rahman R. Thalassaemia. Part 3 of 3. Counselling and community education. Health visitor 1994. link 31 Duru F, Gümrük F, Gürgey A. Vacuolated white blood cells in thalassemia major. The Turkish journal of pediatrics 1994. link 32 Schwartz AD, Luddy RE. Thalassemia screening in Baltimore. Maryland medical journal (Baltimore, Md. : 1985) 1992. link 33 Mukherjee A, Roy T, Ghorai SP, Mukherjee A. Spinal cord compression in HbE-thalassaemia. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 1991. link 34 Gemenis T, Philippou A, Gouliamos A, Kalovidouris A, Papavasiliou C, Panani A et al.. Atypical location of extramedullary hematopoietic masses in thalassemia. Der Radiologe 1989. link 35 Thakerngpol K, Sonakul D, Fucharoen S, Vathanopas V, Stitnimankarn T. Histochemical study of liver tissue from thalassemic patients. Birth defects original article series 1988. link 36 Zakarias I, Hadnagy CS. Data concerning the neurohemolytic syndrome. Birth defects original article series 1988. link 37 Hattori Y, Yamashiro Y, Matsuno Y, Ohba Y, Miyaji T, Yamamoto K et al.. A beta+-thalassemia (codon 24, GGT----GGA) found in a Japanese. Hemoglobin 1988. link 38 Mann KS, Yue CP, Chan KH, Ma LT, Ngan H. Paraplegia due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in thalassemia. Case report. Journal of neurosurgery 1987. link 39 Van Dis ML, Langlais RP. The thalassemias: oral manifestations and complications. Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology 1986. link90055-1) 40 Redman DS, Nelson CL. Osteoarthropathy in thalassemia minor. Orthopedics 1985. link 41 Magli A, Fusco R, Mettivier V, Pisapia R. Ocular manifestations in thalassemia minor. Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde 1982. link 42 Constantopoulos A, Matsaniotis N. Hypertension, convulsion, and cerebral haemorrhage in thalassaemic patients after multiple blood transfusions. Helvetica paediatrica acta 1980. link 43 Thomas RM, Skalicka AE. Successful pregnancy in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia. Archives of disease in childhood 1980. link 44 Kendall A, Pang W. Hemoglobin New York associated with alpha-thalassemia. Human heredity 1980. link 45 Long JA, Doppman JL, Nienhuis AW. Computed tomographic studies of thoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis. Journal of computer assisted tomography 1980. link 46 Ohene-Frempong K, Schwartz E. Clinical features of thalassemia. Pediatric clinics of North America 1980. link33858-5) 47 Anderson BB, Perry GM, Modell CB, Child JA, Mollin DL. Family studies of red-cell metabolism of pyridoxine in beta-thalassaemia. Biomedicine / [publiee pour l'A.A.I.C.I.G.] 1979. link 48 Ward H, Matsakis M, Mouzouras M, Shirley I, Modell B. Antenatal search for fetal beta-thalassaemia in a twin pregnancy. British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 1979. link 49 Parsons C. Abdominal lymphography in thalassaemia major. Clinical radiology 1977. link80078-0) 50 Stevens DM, Shupack JL, Javid J, Silber R. Ulcers of the leg in thalassemia. Archives of dermatology 1977. link 51 Papi C, Prampolini B, Vullo C, Barra I. Segregation analysis of thalassemia in Ferrara. American journal of human genetics 1977. link 52 Sharma RS, Williams L, Baptist NG, Fisher WK, Thompson EO. Haemoglobin C and haemoglobin O Arab-thalassaemia in families of Greek origin. Pathology 1976. link 53 Martinez G, Colombo B. Alpha-thalassaemia in Cuba. Acta haematologica 1976. link 54 Hazell JW, Modell CB. E.N.T. complications in thalassaemia major. The Journal of laryngology and otology 1976. link 55 Liakakos D, Vlachos P, Anoussakis C, Constantinides C, Tsakalosos I. Calcium metabolism in children suffering from homozygous beta-thalassaemia after oral administration of 47Ca. Nuklearmedizin. Nuclear medicine 1976. link 56 Yawson GI, Fessas H, Boulton FE, Huntsman RG, Menzies IS. The estimation of haemoglobin A2: is visual assessment reliable?. Journal of clinical pathology 1974. link 57 De la Torre E, Svarch E, Colombo B. The genetic variability of thalassaemia. A family study. Journal of medical genetics 1973. link 58 Modell CB, Benson A, Wright CR. Incidence of -thalassaemia trait among Cypriots in London. British medical journal 1972. link 59 Fessas P, Koniavitis A, Zeis PM. Urinary beta-aminoisobutyric acid excretion in thalassaemia. Journal of clinical pathology 1969. link

    Original source

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      CRISPR/Cas9 System as a Promising Therapy in Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.Ahmed R, Alghamdi WN, Alharbi FR, Alatawi HD, Alenezi KM, Alanazi TF et al. Molecular biotechnology (2026)
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      Systematic review of hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy approach in thalassemia: Comparative analysis in animal models.Maharani IL, Zauhari MH, Kiansantang RA, Wibowo RS, Humaira RN, Dwijayanti A et al. European journal of haematology (2024)
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      Transfusion management in thalassemia.Boudreaux J Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (2023)
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      Risk of gout attack not increased in patients with thalassemia: a population-based cohort study.Chen JW, Xu Q, Yang PD, Huang JY, Wei JC Scientific reports (2023)
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      An Urgent Need for Local Guidelines to Address Phosphate Homeostasis in Children with Transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia Major.Jafri L, Farooqui AJ, Khan AH Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (2022)
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      Identification of the β thalassemia allele βLong J, Liu E Annals of human genetics (2022)
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      Pituitary iron and factors predictive of fertility status in transfusion dependent thalassemia.Singer ST, Fischer R, Allen I, Lal A, Vichinsky E, Yuan Q et al. Haematologica (2021)
    11. [11]
      Vitamin D and bone health status in beta thalassemia patients-systematic review.Manolopoulos PP, Lavranos G, Mamais I, Angouridis A, Giannakou K, Johnson EO Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA (2021)
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      Lipid Profile in Children With Thalassemia: A Prospective Observational Study From Eastern India.Kumar T, Basu S, Kundu R, Majumdar I, Mukherjee D Indian pediatrics (2020)
    13. [13]
      Syrian Refugees and Their Impact on Health Service Delivery in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinics Across Canada.Barry RM, Chretien C, Kirby M, Gallant G, Leppington S, Robitaille N et al. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology (2020)
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      Hyperuricemia, urine uric excretion, and associated complications in thalassemia patients.Chaloemwong J, Tantiworawit A, Rattanathammethee T, Chai-Adisaksopha C, Rattarittamrong E, Norasetthada L et al. Annals of hematology (2019)
    15. [15]
      Improving Laboratory and Clinical Hematology Services in Resource Limited Settings.Allen A, Allen S, Olivieri N Hematology/oncology clinics of North America (2016)
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      The effect of thalassemia on erythrocyte reference intervals in a representative Han Chinese adult population.Xu JH, Hao XK, Mu RQ, Pan BS, Zhang J, Peng MT et al. Clinical laboratory (2015)
    17. [17]
      The α-thalassemias.Piel FB, Weatherall DJ The New England journal of medicine (2014)
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      Thalassemia syndrome.Sherif AA, G/Medhin A, Tadesse F, Tsegaye T Ethiopian medical journal (2014)
    19. [19]
      Oral manifestations and blood profile in patients with thalassemia trait.Wang YP, Chang JY, Wu YC, Cheng SJ, Chen HM, Sun A Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi (2013)
    20. [20]
      The spine in β-thalassemia syndromes.Haidar R, Mhaidli H, Musallam KM, Taher AT Spine (2012)
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      Inadequate dietary intake in patients with thalassemia.Fung EB, Xu Y, Trachtenberg F, Odame I, Kwiatkowski JL, Neufeld EJ et al. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2012)
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      Is deferasirox implicated in multiple organ failure in a patient with homozygous β-thalassemia?Vlachaki E, Chatzinikolaou K, Bekiari E, Klonizakis F, Tsapas A Angiology (2011)
    24. [24]
      Italian Society of Hematology practice guidelines for the management of iron overload in thalassemia major and related disorders.Angelucci E, Barosi G, Camaschella C, Cappellini MD, Cazzola M, Galanello R et al. Haematologica (2008)
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      A model for automated screening of thalassemia in hematology (math study).Kneifati-Hayek J, Fleischman W, Bernstein LH, Riccioli A, Bellevue R Laboratory hematology : official publication of the International Society for Laboratory Hematology (2007)
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      What are the occupational implications of thalassaemia?Evans G Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) (1999)
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      Extraordinary intrathecal bone reaction in beta-thalassaemia intermedia.Parano E, Pavone V, Di Gregorio F, Pavone P, Trifiletti RR Lancet (London, England) (1999)
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      Thalassemia intermedia in an infant.Chakova L, Spasova M, Genev E Folia medica (1998)
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      Thalassaemia. Part 3 of 3. Counselling and community education.Dyson S, Davis V, Rahman R Health visitor (1994)
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      Vacuolated white blood cells in thalassemia major.Duru F, Gümrük F, Gürgey A The Turkish journal of pediatrics (1994)
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      Thalassemia screening in Baltimore.Schwartz AD, Luddy RE Maryland medical journal (Baltimore, Md. : 1985) (1992)
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      Spinal cord compression in HbE-thalassaemia.Mukherjee A, Roy T, Ghorai SP, Mukherjee A The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India (1991)
    34. [34]
      Atypical location of extramedullary hematopoietic masses in thalassemia.Gemenis T, Philippou A, Gouliamos A, Kalovidouris A, Papavasiliou C, Panani A et al. Der Radiologe (1989)
    35. [35]
      Histochemical study of liver tissue from thalassemic patients.Thakerngpol K, Sonakul D, Fucharoen S, Vathanopas V, Stitnimankarn T Birth defects original article series (1988)
    36. [36]
      Data concerning the neurohemolytic syndrome.Zakarias I, Hadnagy CS Birth defects original article series (1988)
    37. [37]
      A beta+-thalassemia (codon 24, GGT----GGA) found in a Japanese.Hattori Y, Yamashiro Y, Matsuno Y, Ohba Y, Miyaji T, Yamamoto K et al. Hemoglobin (1988)
    38. [38]
      Paraplegia due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in thalassemia. Case report.Mann KS, Yue CP, Chan KH, Ma LT, Ngan H Journal of neurosurgery (1987)
    39. [39]
      The thalassemias: oral manifestations and complications.Van Dis ML, Langlais RP Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology (1986)
    40. [40]
      Osteoarthropathy in thalassemia minor.Redman DS, Nelson CL Orthopedics (1985)
    41. [41]
      Ocular manifestations in thalassemia minor.Magli A, Fusco R, Mettivier V, Pisapia R Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde (1982)
    42. [42]
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      Successful pregnancy in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia.Thomas RM, Skalicka AE Archives of disease in childhood (1980)
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      Hemoglobin New York associated with alpha-thalassemia.Kendall A, Pang W Human heredity (1980)
    45. [45]
      Computed tomographic studies of thoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis.Long JA, Doppman JL, Nienhuis AW Journal of computer assisted tomography (1980)
    46. [46]
      Clinical features of thalassemia.Ohene-Frempong K, Schwartz E Pediatric clinics of North America (1980)
    47. [47]
      Family studies of red-cell metabolism of pyridoxine in beta-thalassaemia.Anderson BB, Perry GM, Modell CB, Child JA, Mollin DL Biomedicine / [publiee pour l'A.A.I.C.I.G.] (1979)
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      Antenatal search for fetal beta-thalassaemia in a twin pregnancy.Ward H, Matsakis M, Mouzouras M, Shirley I, Modell B British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (1979)
    49. [49]
      Abdominal lymphography in thalassaemia major.Parsons C Clinical radiology (1977)
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      Ulcers of the leg in thalassemia.Stevens DM, Shupack JL, Javid J, Silber R Archives of dermatology (1977)
    51. [51]
      Segregation analysis of thalassemia in Ferrara.Papi C, Prampolini B, Vullo C, Barra I American journal of human genetics (1977)
    52. [52]
      Haemoglobin C and haemoglobin O Arab-thalassaemia in families of Greek origin.Sharma RS, Williams L, Baptist NG, Fisher WK, Thompson EO Pathology (1976)
    53. [53]
      Alpha-thalassaemia in Cuba.Martinez G, Colombo B Acta haematologica (1976)
    54. [54]
      E.N.T. complications in thalassaemia major.Hazell JW, Modell CB The Journal of laryngology and otology (1976)
    55. [55]
      Calcium metabolism in children suffering from homozygous beta-thalassaemia after oral administration of 47Ca.Liakakos D, Vlachos P, Anoussakis C, Constantinides C, Tsakalosos I Nuklearmedizin. Nuclear medicine (1976)
    56. [56]
      The estimation of haemoglobin A2: is visual assessment reliable?Yawson GI, Fessas H, Boulton FE, Huntsman RG, Menzies IS Journal of clinical pathology (1974)
    57. [57]
      The genetic variability of thalassaemia. A family study.De la Torre E, Svarch E, Colombo B Journal of medical genetics (1973)
    58. [58]
      Incidence of -thalassaemia trait among Cypriots in London.Modell CB, Benson A, Wright CR British medical journal (1972)
    59. [59]
      Urinary beta-aminoisobutyric acid excretion in thalassaemia.Fessas P, Koniavitis A, Zeis PM Journal of clinical pathology (1969)

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