1) Thalassemia are inherited blood disorders characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production that causes the body to make less hemoglobin. 2) There are two main types - alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia - depending on which genes for alpha or beta globins are missing. 3) Symptoms of thalassemia include pale skin, fatigue, enlarged spleen, yellowish skin, dark urine, and slow growth in children. Treatment involves regular blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy to remove excess iron, and possibly bone marrow transplants.