Sure about your life partner... Are you sure about Thalassemia?
About to get married?
Matching horoscopes is a common feature of all wedding preparations to see whether there are any obstacles for a successful married life. However, if we consider checking blood just as importantly, we will go a long way in preventing obstacles like Thalassemia.
Shaadi.com has joined hands with The Foundation for Blood Ailments (FBA) to create awareness about Thalassemia, and help prevent it, since there is no real cure for this ailment. FBA is an organization dedicated to fighting blood disorders through the dissemination of knowledge.
What is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia is a genetic defect that affects the haemoglobin in the red blood cells of the body. In healthy individuals, haemoglobin carries oxygen to the various organs and parts of the body, allowing them to breathe. However, in the case of a Thalassemic person, the haemoglobin is incapable of fulfilling its function, leading to a short-life span of the red blood cell.
There are three main types of Thalassemia - Minor, Intermedia & Major. Thalassemia Minor is not apparently visible - and for a child to be a Thalassemia Major, both parents have to necessarily be Thalassemia Minors.
A Thalassemia Major is born when BOTH the parents are Thalassemia Minors.Thalassemia cannot be contracted in any other way, not through - food, water,contact, etc.
Why is it a cause of concern?
In Thalassemia Major individuals, the destruction of haemoglobin outpaces its production, leading to severe anaemia
Deposition of iron in the organs causes paleness, retarded growth, and enlargement of liver, spleen and heart leading to death between one to five years of age
Only solution is repeated blood transfusions every two to four weeks
Treatment costs are extremely high, with transfusions costing up to Rs 15,000 per month, and Chelation injections costing approximately Rs 2 lakh per year.
How is a child born with Thalassemia Major?
This is completely dependent on the Thalassemic condition of the parents.
Mother - Father Normal Children Thalassemia Minor Children Thalassemia Major Children Normal 100% chances - - Either Mother or Father - one is a Thalassemia Minor 100% chances 50% chances 50% chances Both Mother and Father are Thalassemia Minors 25% chances 50% chances 25% chances How can you avoid having a baby with Thalassemia Major?
Follow a simple two-step process:
Get yourself and your partner tested for Thalassemia
If both, you and your partner, are Thalassemia Minors, consult your doctor before planning a pregnancy
"Thalassemia is a preventable disease. Once, you are aware of your Thalassemia status, preventing a Thalassemia Major child is then entirely in your hands"