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Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder, where the body produces abnormal forms or less number of hemoglobin. Some of the symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, facial structure deformities, slow growth, dark urine, and abdominal swelling. It is caused due to a mutation in the DNA of cells that produce hemoglobin. As it is an inherited condition, thalassemia is passed from parents to their children. Here, the production of normal hemoglobin and red blood cells are disrupted, leading to anemia. The types of thalassemia are alpha and beta thalassemia, which depends on the defect in the production of alpha or beta globin protein of hemoglobin. Milder forms of thalassemia do not need treatment, but severe forms require a regular blood transfusion.