한국인에 희귀한 β - Thalassemia Minor 가족 2 예

β-Thalassemia is a hereditary hemolytic anemia characterized by decreased or absent synthesis of β globin chain. β-Thalassemia minor had been never reported in Korea until 1988 when the first case was reported. This syndrome should be differentiated from iron deficiency anemia since unnecessary clinical work up and treatment might be given. We experienced two familial cases of β-thalassemia minor: 47-year-old female referred to Seoul National University Hospital because of atypical hypochromic microcytic anemia and 31-year-old male with 7-year history of anemia and jaundice.