Other Definitions
hemoglobinopathy (dict)
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HemoglobinopathyHemoglobinopathy is a kind of genetic defect that results in abnormal structure of one of the globin chains of the hemoglobin molecule. It is a collection of a number of diseases, including sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Symptoms vary for the different diseases: in sickle cell anemia the red blood cells tend to assume a different shape under anerobic conditions, leading to organ damage and circulatory problems, while in thalassemia there is ineffective production of red blood cells (ineffective erythropoiesis). The hemoglobinopathies (and also related diseases like glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) seem to have given an evolutionary benefit, especially to heterozygotes, in areas where malaria is endemic. Malaria parasites live inside red blood cells, but subtly disturb normal cellular function. In patients predisposed for rapid clearance of red blood cells, this may lead to early destruction of cells infected with the parasite and increased chance of survival for the carrier of the trait. Despite the malaria link, Caucasians can be affected by hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia occurs in the Mediterranean countries), as can people from South America and India.
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