India, with 4 million patients, is considered the world capital of thalassaemic patients
Thalassaemia is a blood related genetic disorder which involves the absence of or errors in genes responsible for production of haemoglobin, a protein present in the red blood cells. Each red blood cell can contain between 240 and 300 million molecules of haemoglobin. The severity of the disease depends on the mutations involved in the genes, and their interplay. While thalassaemia is a condition that affects millions of individuals across the world, its awareness isn't given as much of importance as cancer or diabetes. With over four million individuals from India suffering from the disease, maybe it's time to notice and take evasive action
What is thalassaemia?
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder in which a patient cannot make enough Red Blood Cells and needs to be supplemented with RBC transfusions every 2-3 weeks to stay healthy and to survive.
Types of thalassaemia
If only one of the parents is a carrier, the child develops thalassemia minor. People with this disorder usually do not have symptoms, which makes it difficult to detect. It is thus advisable to get tested, in case, any of your parents or relatives have some form of a disease.
The other forms of thalassemia are alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. In alpha thalassemia, at least one of the alpha globin genes has an abnormality. In beta thalassemia, the beta globin genes are affected. Each of the forms has sub-types, which vary in symptoms and severity.
Thalassaemia in India
India, considered to be the capital of thalassaemia, sees some 10,000 children born with the condition every year. Of these, 50% die before the age of 20 due to poverty and lack of treatment. Reportedly, about four million Indians are thalassemia carriers and over 1, 00,000 patients.
Symptoms of thalassaemia
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Bone deformities, especially in the face
- Pale appearance or yellow skin
- Slow growth rates
- Increased risk of infection
- Iron overload
- Heart problems
Tips for thalassaemia patients
- Follow universal immunization to prevent exposure from infections
- Eating food low in iron is good as the patients undergo frequent blood transfusion
- Healthy diet and regular exercise also help to fight with this disease.
How does one test whether s/he has thalassaemia?
A simple blood test called Hb electrophoresis / Hb A2 will tell you whether you are a carrier or have a trait of thalassemia minor.
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