33-THALASSEMIA-MINI REVIEWβ-thalassemias are a group of hereditary blood disorders characterized by anomalies in the synthesis of the β chains of haemoglobin resulting in variable phenotypes ranging from severe anemia to clinically asymptomatic individuals. The incidence of symptomatic individual is estimated at 1 in 1,00,000 throughout the world annually. Whereas average incidence of ß-thalassemia trait in India is 3.3% with 1–2 per 1,000 couples being at risk of having an affected offspring each year. Three main forms have been described: thalassemia major, thalassemia intermedia and thalassemia minor. Individuals with thalassemia major usually present within the first two years of life with severe anemia, requiring regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the diagnosis and management of the β-thalassemia patients. The article briefly describing the epidemiology, types, clinical features, diagnosis, management of the ß-thalassemia. We describe use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which has produced cure rates as high as 97%, and the use of cord blood transplantation. Finally, we touch on prevention and newer therapy that might be effective in the near future. sandhya.pitta16@gmail.comReview322013β-thalassemias,Anemia,Blood transplantationP Sandhya Rani,S Vijayakumar,G Vijay Kumar,N ChandanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, MGM Hospital, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India.,Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, MGM Hospital, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India.,Department of Paediatrics, Kakatiya Medical College/MGM Hospital, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India.,Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, MGM Hospital, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India.