DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation is treating more than 100 children affected by thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. In an effort to create more awareness about these diseases, HMC's Haematology section under the Paediatric Department marked the third Thalassaemia and second Sickle cell anaemia day, from June 19 to 22.
"We are currently treating 111 children, under 15 years of age, affected by thalassaemia and sickle cell diseases at HMC," said Dr Naima Ali Al Mulla, Head of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology section at HMC.
Thalassaemia is the most common, inherited single gene disorder in the world which results abnormal haemoglobin or red blood cells (RBC). Haemoglobin is made of two proteins and thalassaemia occurs when there is a defect in a gene that helps control production of one of these proteins.
It is an inherited disorder and affects children at an early age causing severe anaemia. The affected child suffers from weakness, bone changes, affecting growth and other problems associated with severe anaemia
"Thalassaemia patient requires monthly filtered red blood cell transfusion, which is provided at the hospital. The red blood cell transfusion causes excess iron deposition so the patient also requires having "Iron Chelating" medication to remove the excess of iron from body. This is a life long requirement for these patients."
In the Sickle cell disease, the RBCs become sickle shaped, which causes blockage in the blood vessels. Apart from anaemia, the affected child may suffer from bone pain, abdominal pain, blocking of spleen and liver and in rare cases may also lead to stroke.
"A child affected with Sickle cell may require blood transfusion only in a few cases. However, these disorders require substantial amounts of blood and we rely heavily on blood donors in Qatar to help us treat these special cases," Dr Al Mulla said.
The activities as part of the four day event included treating over 100 children affected by thalassaemia and sickle cell diseases to fun and games at Villaggio mall with a special appearance by popular Qatari television host Papa Linga.
More awareness activities were held in the lobby of Hamad General Hospital, where visitors were informed about these diseases in children and the prevention and treatment options.
HMC's paediatric doctors also emphasised the need for prevention of the diseases through pre-marital testing in couples, so that the carriers of thalassaemia and sickle cell disorders can be screened and the issue addressed before a couple considers starting a family.
"Since both the diseases are autosomal inherited recessive disorders, the parents of affected child are carriers of the sick gene. The parents themselves may be healthy, but since they are carrying the disorder, they will pass it on the new born. So it is very important for young couples to go for pre-marital testing to find out if they are carriers or not," said Dr Mohammed Abulaban, Paediatric Haematology Consultant at HMC.
HMC has been championing the cause of children affected with thalassaemia and sickle cell diseases and the organisation offers free all round treatment to patients, which includes hospitalisation, blood transfusion and other medical support and care needed by the affected children and their families.
© The Peninsula 2010
