Beta-thalassemia is caused by which of the following?

Beta-thalassemia is caused by which of the following?

• A. Decreased production of beta chains leading to excess alpha chains
• B. Increased production of beta chains
• C. Decreased production of gamma chains
• D. Increased production of delta chains

Answer: (A)

Beta-thalassemia is driven by a drop in beta-globin production. When beta chains are deficient, alpha chains are produced in normal amounts and become unpaired, leading to their precipitation and damage in developing red cells. This imbalance causes ineffective erythropoiesis and hemolysis, producing a microcytic, hypochromic anemia. The body tries to compensate by increasing gamma-chain production to form HbF (alpha2 gamma2) and, in some cases, delta chains for HbA2, but these changes do not fully cure the problem. The fundamental issue is the decreased beta-chain synthesis leading to excess alpha chains, which is why this option best fits the condition.

Beta-thalassemia is driven by a drop in beta-globin production. When beta chains are deficient, alpha chains are produced in normal amounts and become unpaired, leading to their precipitation and damage in developing red cells. This imbalance causes ineffective erythropoiesis and hemolysis, producing a microcytic, hypochromic anemia. The body tries to compensate by increasing gamma-chain production to form HbF (alpha2 gamma2) and, in some cases, delta chains for HbA2, but these changes do not fully cure the problem. The fundamental issue is the decreased beta-chain synthesis leading to excess alpha chains, which is why this option best fits the condition.