>> There are two types of Thalassaemia — Minor and Major. While children with Thalassaemia Minor live a normal life, those with Thalassaemia Major face difficulties on leading one.

>>u00a0 A blood disorder: Blood contains a variety of components — white blood cells, platelets, plasma and red blood cells, which contain oxygen-carrying protein, haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is made up of ‘haem’ (iron component) and ‘globin’ (protein component). Alpha and Beta chains make a globin. In case of Thalassaemia Major, the number of Beta chains is less. This leads to an insufficient production of globins and a lack of haemoglobin, causing premature destruction of red blood cells.