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Alpha thalassemia
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Beta thalassemia
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| Epidemiology
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Southern China, Malaysia, and Thailand, as well as trait in Africa
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Africa and the Mediterranean
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| Genetics
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Affects one (minima/carrier), two (minor/trait), three (HbH), or four (hydrops fetalis) of the alpha globin genes
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Affect one (minor) or both (major) of the beta globin genes; can have an intermedia with decreased function
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| CBC and film
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Normal (carrier), or mild (minor) to moderate (HbH) microcytic anemia
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Mild (minor) to moderate (intermedia) to severe (major) microcytic anemia; target cells in major
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| Hemoglobinalysis
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Can show HbH (up to 30%) in HbH disease, or 3-8% Hb Barts in minor; silent carrier has normal
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HbF elevated (up to 95% in major, 50% in intermedia, 5% minor); elevation of HbA2 >3.5%
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