Serious Warning Signs Of Thalassemia

Bone Deformities In The Face

Bone deformities in the face can be characteristic of an individual affected by thalassemia. The bone marrow produces most blood cells inside of large bones throughout the body. Because thalassemia patients cannot produce enough blood cells to replace the ones dying quicker than normal, their body attempts to compensate. One way of doing so is by increased production of erythroid cells or immature blood cells in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is located in the intramedullary canal or center canal of the bones. This increased production causes the intramedullary canal in the bones to enlarge and swell, while the hard outer layer of the bone becomes thinner. This compensatory mechanism may not be easily noticeable in most bones around the body because they are covered by muscle and other tissues. However, the carefully orchestrated shape of the facial bones can show even minimal changes as the affected individual's bone marrow swells. The most common manifestation of this type of deformity is an enlarged maxillary or jaw bone that causes an overbite, increases the space between teeth, and results in malocclusion.

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