genetic blood disorders
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disease that is more common than people think. About 1.5% of people worldwide are carriers of the beta-thalassemia gene. Every year in India, more than 10,000 children are born with Thalassemia major. This disease is transmitted from parents to children through genes. Many times, people who are its carriers do not show any special symptoms, so they do not know for a long time that they can pass on this gene.
Due to lack of awareness and timely investigation, this problem still remains a big challenge. This is the reason why Thalassemia is not just a disease but also a serious issue related to public health.
early symptoms
Dr. Geetika Jassal (Medical Spokesperson, Cryoviva Life Sciences) says that the biggest problem of Thalassemia is that its initial symptoms are often ignored considering it to be general weakness or anemia. Children affected by this disease may show symptoms like constant fatigue, yellowing of the skin, weakness, weight and height not increasing properly. Many times the disease is detected when it has become very serious.
what are the disadvantages
Doctor Geetika said that if timely investigation and proper treatment is not done, then a serious condition like Thalassemia Major can arise. Due to this, heart, liver and other vital organs can be affected. Not only this, there may be a change in the size of the bones. The patient may need repeated blood transfusions. Its impact not only affects everyday life, but can also affect life span and quality of life.
Why is pre- and post-natal screening important?
Experts said that the best way to prevent thalassemia is not just treatment, but timely testing and awareness. A simple blood test can detect whether a person is a carrier of the thalassemia gene, especially in couples who are planning to start a family. If both the mother and father are carriers, the risk of the child being affected by Thalassemia major in each pregnancy can be up to 25%.
In such a situation, pre-marriage screening, pre-pregnancy screening, tests and genetic counseling can help families in taking the right decision on time. In countries where regular screening programs have been implemented, there has been a significant decline in the births of children affected by thalassemia. This shows that awareness, timely testing and right advice can play a very important role in preventing this disease.
This is how the disease is managed
Patients affected with thalassemia major often require regular blood transfusions throughout their lives and medicines to control the excess iron that builds up in the body. However, with the continuous progress in medical science, new treatment options are emerging. In some patients, bone marrow transplant may prove to be an effective way to provide long-term relief or cure the disease.
At the same time, the ongoing research on gene therapy is also raising new hopes for the future. With these new technologies, the treatment and management of thalassemia can be better in the future. However, the high cost of these treatments and their limited access to all patients still remains a major challenge. Therefore, timely identification, screening and awareness of thalassemia has become more important today than ever.
Collective responsibility towards prevention
Thalassemia is a largely preventable disease. Through awareness, regular screening, timely diagnosis and responsible genetic counselling, people can make better health decisions. Besides, the increasing burden of this disease on families and health system can also be reduced.
Now is the time not only to focus on treatment, but to give priority to prevention. Because in the case of genetic diseases, the problems that go unrecognized today can affect future generations as well.
