Is there any permanent cure for thalassemia other than blood transfusions for a thalassemic child?

Yes and No: Since the genetic signals for making abnormal blood cells cannot be changed, the likelyhood of a simple medication or treatment for the disorder is not likely with present technology. In theory, a stem cell transplant of doner bone marrow stem cells could change the childs blood production to a helthy cell line.This is itself a life threatening procedure performed in a limited research setting.

Only B.M.Transplant: The cure for thalassemia major is through bone marrow transplantation, either from umbilical cord blood stem cells or from donor bone marrow stem cells. Thalassemia minor is a mild form of the disease, so a transplant would not be needed.

Transplant: Bone marrow transplantation if the patient meets appropriate criteria.