newborn diagnosed with Thalassemia

Hello, I just got a call from my pediatrician stating that my 2 week old baby has alpha thalassemia minor, as indicated by her new born screen. I am confused as to how this is passed on. She is my fourth child and the only one who has been diagnosed with this.
Do my husband and I both need to be carriers for her to have this? I am questioning as to whether I could have this myself as I have always been anemic and also have smaller than normal RBC's. If I have this is that enough to have had it passed on to her, or does my husband necessarily have to be a carrier also?
Also what does this mean for her when she grows up and decides to have children of her own? Will she be at risk for passing on a more severe form of thalassemia to her children?
I have my RN, BSN from Linfield and have been a registered nurse for 6 years now, so I have somewhat of an understanding of the situation, but the genetics are very confusing!

Thank you so much for your time, I look forward to your response!

[eureka254]

First of all, congratulations on your new baby!  Newborn screening can provide parents with very important information, but it is exactly that:  screening.  Thalassemia trait has certain characteristics on blood screening, but conclusive diagnosis should be made through gene testing to be absolutely sure.

If your baby truly 'has thalassemia minor,' it would mean either yourself OR your husband could also have the trait.  Fortunately, it should not impact your baby's overall health.  Because genetic testing and newborn screening has made many advances in recent years, it's quite possible that your older children were not screened, or perhaps if they were, that they are not carriers.  (If either you OR your husband were to be a carrier, the chance would be about 50% for a child to also be a carrier.)  

If your daughter indeed has the thalassemia trait, keep in mind that it is a "trait" that should do her health no harm.  When she grows up, the hope is that genetics understanding and its therapies will have made thalassemia major a concern only of our generation.  In future pregnancies, her chances of transmitting the trait to a child would also be 50%, as with anyone carrying a recessive trait.  If you find that you have many more questions, I'll certainly try to help, but you and your husband might benefit greatly from a consultation with a medical geneticist or genetic counselor.

Health and happiness to you and your new baby!
~eureka