Bhubaneswar: Before planning for pregnancy, a couple having the traits of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) should go for tests to know whether their future child would be suffering from SCD or not as the child could be a carrier in 50% of cases and normal in 25% cases.
This was stated by Dr Palash Das, Associate Professor in Department of Paediatrics of Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences at a function organised on the occasion of the World Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day on Sunday.
“Awareness of SCD is very important as this genetic disorder could show difficulties in lifestyle. If parents could know the genetic status of the future child and terminate the pregnancy at the earliest, they could wait and have a child who doesn’t have SCD so that their kid could lead a better life,’’ she observed.
CLINICAL INDICATIONS
“Immediately after birth, the child appears normal, but once it grows, swelling of fingers, toes, inflammation, anemia, enlarged spleen, severe infections and pneumonia, brain stroke and even paralysis is reported. In fact, the sickle-type RBCs cause blockage in the flow of blood and the resultant is the condition. So, to keep the babies out of the danger the SCD trait carrier parents must go for tests before pregnancies,’’ she explained.
The major manifestations of SCD are brain strokes, acute chest syndrome and life-threatening infections, and a series of micro infections in the spleen that would cripple the life of the child. Under the long-term manifestation of the SCD avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip, retinopathy, and life-limiting factors due to a multitude of problems in the body could put the life in danger for the kid and also put the parents under tremendous mental trauma.
SCD DISTRIBUTION
Regarding the SCD cases reported in Odisha, the pediatrician said Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Talcher, Dhenkanal, and some parts of southern Odisha are vulnerable due to the prevailing social customs, genetic make-up, and inbreeding. Some parts of the coastal Odisha are also reporting SCD cases.
Chota Nagpur Plateau comprising parts of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha reports every 3 out of 100 cases in the country. According to an estimate, while in India 4.3% are suffering from SCD, in Odisha it’s 9.1%.
TREATMENT & SUPPORT
On treatment for SCD, Dr Palash said, “After discovering the condition in their child, the parents should go to a good pediatric center for early and effective treatment. Early vaccination also helps in the treatment process.”
Considering poor awareness among parents having SCD kids, she said they can avail the Persons with Disability (PWD) certificate for their wards so that the little ones could get help from the government in different welfare schemes, higher education and jobs in public sectors.
