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The two main types of thalassemia are alpha and beta. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by reduced hemoglobin production, leading to anemia and various associated complications.

Alpha thalassemia results from mutations in the alpha-globin gene, affecting the production of alpha chains of hemoglobin. This can lead to varying degrees of anemia depending on how many of the four alpha genes are affected.

Beta thalassemia, on the other hand, is caused by mutations in the beta-globin gene, impacting the production of beta chains of hemoglobin. Similar to alpha thalassemia, the severity of beta thalassemia can vary based on whether one or both beta-globin genes are mutated and can range from mild anemia to severe conditions needing regular blood transfusions.

The other choices, such as gamma and omega, do not represent the primary forms of thalassemia. While gamma chains can also be involved in hemoglobin, they do not constitute a separate type of thalassemia; rather, gamma thalassemia is typically included within the spectrum of conditions affecting alpha or beta thalassemias. Omega and delta do not describe recognized types of thalassemia, emphasizing the significance of