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## Classification of β Thalassemia | **Classification** | **Genotype** | **Clinical Severity** | |---|---|---| | β thal minor/trait | β/β+, β/βο | Silent | | β thal intermedia | β+ /β+, β+/βο | Moderate | | β thal major | βο/βο | Severe | This table represents the different classifications of β t...

## Classification of β Thalassemia | **Classification** | **Genotype** | **Clinical Severity** | |---|---|---| | β thal minor/trait | β/β+, β/βο | Silent | | β thal intermedia | β+ /β+, β+/βο | Moderate | | β thal major | βο/βο | Severe | This table represents the different classifications of β thalassemia, ranging from the mildest form, β thal minor/trait, to the most severe form, β thal major. The genotypes indicate the specific genetic variations responsible for each form, while the clinical severity describes the level of anemia and other symptoms associated with each form. - **β thal minor/trait:** This form is characterized by a heterozygous genotype, meaning an individual inherits one normal β-globin gene and one mutated β-globin gene. This results in a mild form of anemia, often with no noticeable symptoms. - **β thal intermedia:** This form is characterized by a homozygous genotype, meaning an individual inherits two mutated β-globin genes. This results in a more severe form of anemia than β thal minor/trait, but not as severe as β thal major. - **β thal major:** This form is characterized by a homozygous genotype where both β-globin genes are mutated. This leads to the most severe form of β thalassemia, resulting in severe anemia, requiring regular blood transfusions to survive. Below the table is a pedigree chart showing the inheritance pattern of β thalassemia. It depicts the genotypes and phenotypes of a father, mother, and four children. - The father has a thalassemia trait (mild anemia), meaning he is a carrier with one normal β-globin gene and one mutated β-globin gene. - The mother is a silent carrier, meaning she carries one normal β-globin gene and one mutated β-globin gene but doesn't exhibit any symptoms. - The first child inherits two mutated genes and develops β thalassemia trait (mild anemia). - The second child inherits three mutated genes and develops hemoglobin H disease (moderate to severe anemia). - The third child inherits no mutated genes and doesn't have anemia. - The fourth child is a silent carrier like the mother, inheriting one mutated gene and one normal gene. The pedigree chart showcases the different ways β-thalassemia can be inherited and the range of clinical outcomes associated with it.