Ariel Koren, Lora Profeta, Luci Zalman, Haya Palmor, Carina Levin, Ronit Bril Zamir, Stavit Shalev, Orna Blondheim
BACKGROUND: β Thalassemia major is characterized by hemolytic anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and hemosiderosis. About 4% of the world population carries a Thalassemia gene. Management includes blood transfusions and iron chelation. However, this treatment is costly, and population screening may be significantly more cost beneficial. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to analyze the cost of running a prevention program for β Thalassemia in Israel and to compare it to the actual expenses incurred by treating Thalassemia patients...
2014: Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases