Awareness Of Beta -Thalassemia In Tamil Nadu, India: Llustrated By 2 Case Scenarios: Urgent Need For Increasing Awareness

Abstract

Background: Beta thalassemia is an autosomal recessive inherited genetic disorder which is emerging as an important disease with a huge economic burden on India. Health policy makers need to recognize this and plan strategies for effective awareness and prevention programs throughout the country and not just the tribal areas.

Case report: We present two families with more than one child with beta thalassemia major and discuss the factors regarding the recurrence. In the first family, both children were siblings while in the second family they were cousins.

Results:  Both the families were not aware of the existence of thalassemia before the diagnosis in their children in the first family. The delay in diagnosis was due to the late presentation of the disease. In the second family there was a lack of awareness of the genetic nature of the disease which prevented the family from seeking preventive measures.

Conclusion: Awareness about beta thalassemia and the screening facilities available should be popularized by policy makers so that people are empowered to use them without any stigmatization or discrimination.