What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Is Thalassemia in Children?

Thalassemia is an illness of the blood that affects the genes. It is acquired by children. The disease develops when the body isn’t supplied with sufficient healthy haemoglobin, which is the main protein component in the blood vessels that carry oxygen to all organs of the body. Due to the absence of haemoglobin, children’s cells are unable to absorb oxygen, which makes the child weak and tired.

The outcomes of children suffering from thalassemia differ as the two major forms of thalassemia i.e. alpha-thalassemia as well as beta-thalassemia, depend on which portion of the haemoglobin gene mis odified. A child’s health condition could be so small that it’s not visible, while other children might need to be regularly treated in order to remain healthy.

Common Symptoms in Children

Children with thalassemia may show symptoms early or as they grow older. Watch out for:

• Feeling​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ tired or weak most of the time
• Pale skin or skin that is a little yellow
• Slow growth and getting late puberty
• Shortness of breath, especially during play or physical activities
• Enlarged spleen or liver (the doctor may notice this during a checkup)
• Severe cases may show bone structure or facial shape changes
• Irritability and decreased interest in playing
• If your child has any of these symptoms, it is very important to take him/her to the doctor for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌testing.

Treatment Options for Thalassemia in Children

• Thalassemia Treatment aims at helping the child to achieve a healthy, active, full adult life by keeping their blood levels normalised. The medical team will use information from the diagnosis of the type and severity of Thalassemia in determining best treatment.
• Blood transfusions are commonly used for children who present with moderate to severe Thalassemia. By providing healthy red blood cells, the transfused cells will enhance a child’s energy levels and enhance healthy growth; however, blood products can cause excess iron build-up in the body with repeated transfusions.
• To decrease the chances of developing complications due to excess iron, physicians will usually prescribe medication to remove excess iron from your child via urine and faeces. It is important for a physician to monitor your child so that they may be sure that the functions of their organs/systems are preserved from injury from elevated iron levels.
• Depending​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ on the situation, a Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant can be proposed when there is a suitable donor. Such a treatment may eventually eliminate Thalassemia in your child but the patient will have to be thoroughly tested and monitored very closely throughout the whole transplant and recovery ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌period.
• Gene Therapy is another area that researchers are currently involved with relating to the treatment in children. Gene therapy’s overall goal is to repair the mutation(s) that cause Thalassemia and it continues to be actively studied and investigated as it could eventually lead to a permanent cure for your child.

Supportive Care

Supportive​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ care is equally important besides medical treatment:

• Feeding oneself with iron-balanced meals that are rich in vitamins B and folic acid
• Constant checkups of the growth, heart, and liver
• On-time and proper intake of the required medicines
• Giving the body enough rest and keeping away from ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌infections

Preventing Complications

Kids​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ with thalassemia require continuous care throughout their life to be in good health and not to develop side effects caused by the accumulation of iron or the overworking of organs. Parents can support them by making sure:

• Doctor’s visits and blood tests are done regularly
• Immunisations are in place to guard against infections
• Healthy eating and enough hydration
• Proper sleep and equilibrium between rest and activity
• If there is a case of fever, tiredness, or strange symptoms, then the consultation should be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌immediate

Living​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ with Thalassemia

A child with thalassemia can be a picture of health, full of life, and happy, as any other child, and therefore, the disease should not darken their life, provided that they receive the right treatment and medical care. They can be in school, playing, and dreaming like any other kids, only that they may need a little more help.

Therapy and education of the family serve to understand the emotions and create ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌confidence.

Knowledge of the disease lessens anxiety and gives the child a sense of being loved and supported not only at home but also at ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌school.

Conclusion

Thalassemia​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is a blood disorder which is kept in mind that it is lifelong, but children are able to live a normal life with the right care and treatment at the correct time. Keeping good health is very much possible through regular transfusions, iron management and attending to the latest treatments.

If a kid has thalassemia symptoms or needs special care, the parents can take him/her to a thalassemia specialist in Saket – Dr Nandini Hazarika, who is competent to provide a correct diagnosis, offer personalised treatment and draft the plan for long-term care of the children with blood and nutritional disorders. Early diagnosis and continuous treatment management give each child, the greatest chance of leading a healthy and active ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌life.