Thalassemia: Awareness to save future lives
Silah Ahmad
Student
Thalassemia: not as rare as you might think, one in a hundred thousand people have it globally but in regions like the Middle East and south Asia , including Pakistan where number can increase from 5-10%.the primary reason this high number prevalence of thalassemia historical exposure to malaria which conferred a survival advantage to carriers of the of thalassemia gene,increasing its frequency in the population. Another significant factor is marriages between blood relations , which increases the likelihood of two carriers having a child with more severe forms of this condition.
Core Treatment (Thalassemia Major):
Lifelong Blood Transfusions: Essential for survival, administered every few weeks to prevent severe anemia and allow for normal development.
Chelation Therapy: Critical to remove excess iron (iron overload) that accumulates from frequent transfusions, preventing damage to the heart and liver.
Bone Marrow Transplant (HSCT): The only definitive cure, but its use is limited by the availability of a matched donor.
On a personal level, individuals can undergo screening prior to marriage to determine if either partner is a thalassemic minor. On a national scale, government support can be sought to promote awareness about this condition.
