why thalassemia cause enlargement of spleen????

Question

why thalassemia cause enlargement of spleen????

Answer 1

最愛解答

different types of thalassemia all cause anemia (low hemoglobin)

due to a genetic defect in the gene for hemoglobin, the hemoglobin is not synthesized normally, and some of the hemoglobin molecules are abnormal

if the hemoglobin is abnormal, the red blood cells are abnormal also

so, there are 2 problems:

1. there are insufficient normal working hemoglobin, and the spleen (and liver) will try to make more red blood cells (so called extramedullary hematopoiesis)

-> makes the spleen work harder

2. there are many abnormal red blood cells in the blood, and the spleen has to eat them up

-> makes the spleen work harder

it is a general rule for the organs to grow bigger if they need to work harder

its why the spleen will become bigger in thalassemia