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| | eMedicine - Thalassemia, Beta : Article by Kenichi Takeshita, MD |
 | | Thalassemia minor (beta thalassemia trait) usually is asymptomatic, and it typically is identified during routine blood count evaluation. |
 | | The diagnosis of beta thalassemia minor usually is suggested by the presence of an isolated, mild microcytic anemia, target cells on the peripheral blood smear, and a normal red blood cell count. |
 | | Educate patients with thalassemia minor about the genetic (hereditary) nature of their disease, and inform them that their immediate family members (ie, parents, siblings, children) may be affected. |
| www.emedicine.com /med/topic2260.htm (3252 words) |
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