Beta thalassemia syndromes are a group of hereditary disorders characterized by a genetic deficiency in the synthesis of beta-globin chains. In the homozygous state, beta thalassemia (ie, thalassemia major) causes severe, transfusion-dependent anemia. In the heterozygous state, the beta thalassemia trait (ie, thalassemia minor) causes mild to moderate microcytic anemia. (See Etiology.) Hemoglobin (Hb) E, a common Hb variant found in Southeast Asia, is associated with a beta thalassemia phenotype, and this variant is included in the beta thalassemia category of dise Complications associated with beta thalassemia, aside from the aforementioned anemia, are as follows Extramedullary hematopoiesis Asplenia secondary to splenectomy Medical complications from long-term transfusional therapy - Iron overload and transfusion-associated infections (eg, hepatitis) Increased risk for infections resulting from asplenia (eg, encapsulated organisms such as pneumococcus) or from iron overload (eg, Yersinia species) Cholelithiasis (eg, bilirubin stones) consult physicians they will explain in detail. regards