Final answer:
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the maturation of red blood cells and hemoglobin formation. Treatment involves transfusions and medication, and the condition is characterized by expanded medullary space in the bone marrow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the maturation of red blood cells, leading to abnormal formation of hemoglobin and the destruction of red blood cells. It is most commonly found in individuals from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The condition can be classified into different types, such as ß-thalassemia, which is caused by decreased synthesis of the ß-chain of globin. Treatment for thalassemia typically involves blood transfusions and medication such as deferoxamine. One characteristic feature of thalassemia is the expansion of the medullary space in the bone marrow.