Ranchi: On the eve of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, health experts emphasized the need for universal antenatal screening of pregnant women during the first trimester to curb the spread of genetic blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia.
Early Detection Key to Prevention
Experts stated that early identification of carrier parents through antenatal screening can prevent the birth of children with these inherited disorders. This approach helps the state produce healthy human resources and reduces the financial burden of medical expenses on patients.
High Prevalence in Jharkhand
Dr Abhishek Ranjan, haematologist at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, noted that sickle cell anaemia affects an estimated 8-10% of Jharkhand’s population and carries a high mortality risk. “About 25% of patients die before the age of five, while nearly half do not survive beyond 30. Survival beyond 50 years remains extremely rare in India. As a hereditary disorder often affecting multiple siblings, it causes immense emotional and financial distress for families, particularly when they have invested years in treatment and care,” he said.
Mandatory Testing Urged
Dr Ranjan added that to completely eradicate sickle cell anaemia and relieve families from economic distress, it is urgent to make complete blood tests and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tests mandatory for expecting mothers. “If the mother tests positive as a carrier of a deformed gene that could cause sickle cell or other blood disorders in the child, then the same tests are repeated on the father. If both parents are carriers, tests on the foetus are done to check for genetic anomalies. If the foetus is also a carrier, the couple can be advised for medical termination of pregnancy, unburdening them from lifelong heavy medical expenses,” he explained.
Genetic Counselling and Infrastructure
Ranchi-based genetic expert Dr Ajay Kumar Mahalka emphasized that antenatal testing is essential for pregnant women in Jharkhand, where genetic blood disorders are highly prevalent among the marginalized tribal population, who can hardly afford costly treatments. “If both parents are carriers, genetic counselling can help them make informed reproductive choices. The government must also set up a genetic lab and appoint a genetic expert at the state level to stop the occurrence of various genetic disorders including autism, Alzheimer’s, and others,” he added.
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