The term Sephardic describes people of Jewish descent whose ancestors came from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and some regions of the Mediterranean, according to a 2009 article written by Talia Bloch for Haaretz.com, but the term is often used to refer to any Jewish person who is not Ashkenazic, or of German, French or Eastern European ancestry. Twenty percent of the Jewish population today is non- Ashkenazic, according to Bloch. Many Ashkenazik Jews carry lethal genetic diseases; Sephardic Jews also carry several genetic diseases, but many are common to the population of their region of origin.
Beta-Thalassemia
Beta-thalassemia is an auto-recessive disease, meaning both parents must carry the gene for a child to inherit the disease. This type of anemia has several forms, from major, also known as Cooley's anemia, to minor. Severe anemia, or low hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen, liver disease and jaundice appear by age 2 in thalassemia major. Blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants may be required. Between 2 to 4 percent of Middle Eastern and North African Jews, 10 percent of Iranian and 20 percent of Kurdish Jews carry the gene, which protects against malaria, endemic in many of these regions, according to the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders.
Familial Mediterranean Fever
One in three to seven North African and Iraqi Jews, Armenians and Turks carries the gene for familial Mediterranean fever, an autosomal recessive disease that affects the white blood cells and causes inflammation in the abdomen, chest or joints, according to the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders. Fever, difficulty breathing and rash are common symptoms; kidney failure may occur and transplant may be required. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat inflammation.
G6PD Deficiency
G6PD is an X-linked recessive disease, which means its passed to male infants on the mother's X chromosome. According to the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders, there's no test for carriers. Up to 60 to 70 percent of Sephardic Kurdish males have the disease, which is common, occurring in over 400 million males worldwide, according to the same source. G6PD causes anemia and symptoms may range from none at all to severe. Blood transfusions may be required in severe cases, and kidney failure may occur.
Glycogen Storage Disease, Type III
Type III glycogen storage disease, which is carried by one in 35 North African Jews, can only be inherited if both parents are carriers. North African Jews are the Sephardic group most likely to have the disease, which causes inadequate breakdown and use of glycogen, a carbohydrate. Low blood sugar and liver disease appear in infancy, along with poor muscle tone, possible seizures and respiratory problems. Symptoms are managed by diet, according to the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders.
