In News:

On World Thalassemia Day, health experts in West Bengal highlighted the state’s significantly higher prevalence of Thalassemia carriers, ranging from 6% to 10%, compared to the national average of 3% to 4% (2011 Census). The elevated rate is mainly attributed to low awareness, intra-community marriages, and inadequate genetic screening.

What is Thalassemia?                                    

• Definition: Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder marked by the body’s inability to produce adequate or normal haemoglobin, impairing oxygen transport in the blood.
• Genetic Cause:It arises from mutations or deletions in genes responsible for haemoglobin chains (alpha or beta globin), inherited from both parents.
• Types:
  • Alpha Thalassemia: Involves up to four gene deletions; severity varies with number of deletions; common in Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and African populations.
  • Beta Thalassemia: Caused by mutations in the beta-globin gene; prevalent in Mediterranean, South Asian, and Chinese communities. Includes:
    • Thalassemia Minor: Carrier state with mild or no symptoms.
    • Thalassemia Major (Cooley’s Anaemia): Severe form requiring lifelong blood transfusions.
• Symptoms:Fatigue, weakness, jaundice, facial deformities, stunted growth, enlarged spleen and liver, and breathlessness.

Thalassemia in India and West Bengal

• India sees about 10,000 to 15,000 babies born annually with Thalassemia Major (National Health Mission, 2016).
• Certain communities like Bengalis, Sindhis, Punjabis, and Gujaratis have higher carrier frequencies.
• West Bengal reports over 18,000 transfusion-dependent Thalassemia patients with a patient positivity rate of 2.5%.

Challenges in West Bengal

• Low Awareness: Many remain uninformed about genetic transmission and implications.
• Intra-community Marriages: Increase risk of two carriers marrying, leading to affected children.
• Insufficient Screening: Inadequate prenatal and adolescent screening limits early detection and prevention.
• No Legal Framework: India lacks laws to prevent marriages between carriers; awareness is the key preventive strategy.

Government Efforts and Recommendations

• West Bengal has established 36 Thalassemia Control Units (TCUs) across districts focusing on screening pregnant women (especially in the first trimester) and adolescents to reduce future disease incidence.
• Experts emphasize early parental screening, informed counseling, and timely medical care.
• Supportive care includes regular blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, vaccinations, nutritional balance (low iron diet), infection prevention, and mental health counseling.