This simple app can help in identifying if you are carrier of Thalassaemia
Worldwide, approximately 15 million people are estimated to suffer from Thalassaemic disorders. Reportedly, there are about 240 million carriers of β-Thalassaemia worldwide, i.e. 1.5% of world population, and in India alone, the number is approximately 30 million with 505 in S.E.Asia. The burden of Hemoglobinopathies in India is high with nearly 12,000 infants being born every year with a severe disorder. These numbers imply that every hour 1 child is born who will suffer with this genetic disorder. The carrier rate for β-Thalassemia varies from 1-17 % in India with an average of 3.2 %. This means that on an average 1 in every 25 Indians is a carrier of Thalassemia.
This is a simple app which can help in identifying if you are carrier of Thalassaemia. You can also check spouse for the same to ensure the chances of your offspring being a carrier are reduced.
Who then should be screened for Thalassaemia?
- Pre-marital youth (18-25 years of age)
- Antenatal women in their first trimester
- Parents and extended family of Thalassaemia major children
- Individuals belonging to the high-risk communities
- Any individual with a raised RBC count
Prevention of Thalassaemia – the need of the hour. There is an urgent need for the prenatal diagnosis of Thalassaemia to combat the burden of Hemoglobinopathies in India. Thalassaemia is an autosomal recessive disorder which is inherited from parents.
If one (1) parent has beta thalassemia trait and the other parent has normal hemoglobin A, there is a 50 percent (1 in 2) chance with each pregnancy of having a child with beta thalassemia trait. These are the possible outcomes with each pregnancy.
- 50 percent (1 in 2) chance of having a child with beta thalassemia trait
- 50 percent (1 in 2) chance of having a child without trait
What if both parents have Beta Thalassaemia trait?
If both parents have beta thalassemia trait there is a 25 percent (1 in 4) chance with each pregnancy of having a child with Beta Thalassaemia disease. Beta Thalassaemia disease is a lifelong illness that can result in serious health problems. These are the possible outcomes with each pregnancy.
- 25 percent (1 in 4) chance of having a child with beta thalassemia disease
- 50 percent (1 in 2) chance of having a child with beta thalassemia trait
- 25 percent (1 in 4) chance of having a child without trait or disease
You can also book appointment. Details are in app.
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