New Delhi, 24 June (IANS). The Newbourne Test program conducted between 2019 to 2024 of the National Institute of Immunometry, Mumbai under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) saw a decrease in mortality from sickle cell disease. Due to this program, the mortality rate was reduced from 20-30 percent to below 5 percent.
Dr. Manisha Madcacker, Director of ICMR-CRMCH in Nagpur, told news agency IANS that early diagnoses and treatment in newborns can reduce the effect of this serious genetic blood disorder to a great extent.
Sickle cell disease is an chronic, single-gyne disorder. It is a disease that is associated with blood and affects the patient throughout his life. In this, there is a lack of blood in the body, there are pain attacks, the organs are damaged and it also reduces lifespan.
Dr. Madacker said, “Newbourne test program is necessary because remedies such as penicillin, vitamins, vaccination and hydroxyuria therapy can be initiated when diagnosed early. This has led to a huge decrease in mortality.”
In this study, 63,536 newborns were examined, of which 57 percent were from tribal and 43 percent of non-tribal families. 546 sickle cell disease cases were found in the study. The study was conducted in seven high -risk areas – Udaipur (Rajasthan), Bharuch (Gujarat), Palghar, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Mandla, Dindori (Madhya Pradesh), Nabrangpur, Kandhamal (Odisha) and Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu).
The maximum number of 134 cases were reported in Gujarat, 127 in Maharashtra, 126 in Odisha, 97 in Madhya Pradesh, 41 in Rajasthan and 21 in Tamil Nadu. In the study, 22 children (4.15 percent) died of sickle cell disease.
Dr. Madacker said, “Early catching is not only possible to treat the child, but the disease can be prevented from spreading further by examining and consulting other family members.”
He suggested that investigation of all newborns should be mandatory in the prevalent areas of sickle cell disease. This program not only saves lives, but also helps in awareness and prevention.
-IANS
MT/AS