Date:11/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071155070600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Avoid thalassemia by opting for test before marriage

If two thalassemic carriers get married, then during the 11th week of the foetus, a simple test can be taken up to find whether the foetus is thalassemic.

HYDERABAD: Thalassemia, the genetic disorder in which the body is unable to make adequate haemoglobin needed to produce red blood cells (RBC), among children can be avoided by taking a medical test before marriage to find whether you are a thalassemic minor or carrier.

This suggestion comes straight from the parents of thalassemic children. “If two Thalassemic carriers get married then their children will be thalassemic. That’s why, as parents who are undergoing the ordeal, we suggest the bride and groom to undergo tests before getting married,” says Co-ordinator for thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) K. Ratnavali.

The members of the Society, who interacted with mediapersons on Thursday to announce the Society’s decennial celebrations on Sunday at Ravindra Bharathi, said that awareness among parents is vital to fight this ailment.

“Blood transfusion has to be given to such kids for every three weeks. Imagine the trauma faced by parents and children,” says Dr. Suman Jain, TSCS Secretary. Estimates suggest that in India there are over 35 million thalassemia carriers and about 10,000 to 12,000 thalassemia children are born every year in the country, TSCS members informed.

People with thalassemia mutation in only one gene are the carriers and they don’t need blood transfusion on a regular basis. “If two thalassemic carriers get married then during the 11th week of the foetus, a simple test can be taken up to find whether the foetus is thalassemic or not? If it’s positive, then it’s up to the parents to take a wise decision,” Mrs. Ratnavali said.

Thalassemic children, who are with the TSCS, would be presenting a musical concert on the occasion of the decennial celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi on Sunday starting from 10 a.m., the parents informed.