Miu,
I do have minor "地中海貧血" ga. There are two types of "地中海貧血" -- type A and type B. For both types, if minor, nothing special. If seriou -->
for type A - the baby has a little chance be given birth, even gave birth, (from books), it's life is max. upto (I can't remember exactly) 1 yr. old.
for type B - the baby has a chance (just better than type A) to be given birth, if he can be grown up, he has to be 輸血frequently/regularly. :-(
That's why around 1x週, the blood test of mom have to check it out. If the mom have such a disease (even minor), the father have to check the blood also. If the daddy didn't have such disease, the baby has 1/2 chance to get such disease (minor only). If both parents have such disease (minor only), then the baby has 1/2 (I can't remember this case the chance) to get "serious", 1/2 chance to get "minor".
Usually, if the baby (not yet given birth) has such disease (serious), the doctor will advise to abort it :-(.
Hope you understand what I said:-P
BTW, if the mom has "minor", it is recommended to eat more 葉酸 (for helping creating blood) until give birth (usually 葉酸 is only given by doctor for the first 3-month).
Wendy,
Of course, 我個時有左先知可以咁大獲, 咪拿拿林做research lor. :-P
我記得紅色球同白血球number suppose 係一樣, if different, (can't remember if the number of red blood cells is less than white blood cells ==> type A or vice versa). If the number difference is just a little bit -> minor. If the number difference is great -> serious.