Thalassemia, also known as marine anemia, is a group of hereditary hemolytic anemia diseases. Anemia or pathological state caused by lack or insufficient synthesis of one or more globin chains in hemoglobin due to genetic defects. Due to the complexity and diversity of gene defects, the type, quantity and clinical symptoms of the missing globin chains vary greatly. They were named and classified according to the type and degree of globin chain deficiency.

The disease is widely distributed in many parts of the world, and Southeast Asia is one of the high incidence areas. Guangdong, Guangxi and Sichuan are more common in China, with sporadic cases in the provinces south of the Yangtze River, but rare in the north.