The current prescribed management of patients with thalassaemia major or transfusion dependent thalassaemia is regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. In addition, the patient needs to be routinely monitored by a Hematologist to bring down treatment related complications. The only cure for thalassemia major is a bone marrow transplant, also known as Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
The management outline:
Regular blood transfusion therapy with packed red blood cells (PRBCs) to maintain Hb% of 9 g/dl.
Iron Chelation for iron overload
Routine monitoring of complications arising due to the disease and the treatment
Management of complications (hormonal deficiencies, cardiac function, liver function, bone health etc.)
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) / Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Psychological support
For reference:
NHM Guidelines on Hemoglobinopathies in India (2016)