Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle Cell Anaemia

The Finance Minister recently declared that India will eradicate sickle cell anaemia in a mission mode by 2047 in the Budget 2023–24.

About:

• In terms of anticipated births with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA), or the likelihood of having the condition, India is the second worst impacted nation.

• Haemoglobinopathies, or blood disorders, are more prevalent among tribal groups in India than non-tribal tribes, according to research and screening programmes.
• Communities living in malaria-endemic regions frequently experience SCA. Hence, the sickle cell trait provided an evolutionary benefit, providing certain people with immunity during malaria epidemics.

About sickle Anaemia:

• The inherited blood problems known as sickle cell disease (SCD) are genetic in origin.
• It is a Mendelian disorder or autosomal recessive condition.
• It is brought on by a mutation in the haemoglobin gene, which is located on chromosome 11.
• This mutation causes haemoglobin to be damaged
• A lack of healthy red blood cells results from these unwholesome changes and early cell death. Pain might result from a blood flow barrier caused by insufficient red blood cells.
• It may also result in pain, exhaustion, and infections.
• Vaso-occlusive crises, which can range in intensity and persist for a few days to weeks, are pain episodes that sickle cell anaemia patients might experience.
• Infection, excessive exertion, stress, or dehydration at high altitudes can all lead to a pain crisis. Chronic pain can harm bones, the brain, the liver, the lungs, the kidneys, and other organs permanently.

Rate of Sickle Cell Anaemia:

• According to research, tribal groups in India have a higher incidence of blood condition disease than non-tribal populations.
• Research has also revealed that sickle cell anaemia is common in regions with an endemic malaria problem.
• Another link between both illnesses was discovered in the 1940s, stating that those with sickle red blood cells have a higher chance of surviving malaria.
• Indian scenario: Malaria is most prevalent among tribal communities in India. India was the second-most severely impacted nation in terms of prenatal diagnoses of sickle cell anaemia.

Treating sickle cell anaemia:

• There is a hereditary component to sickle cell anaemia. So, entirely getting rid of it is difficult. Scientific advancements and additional research are required.
• Gene therapy or stem cell transplants are used in the expensive treatments that are now available.
• Also employed is blood transfusion from healthy donors.
• Stem cell transplants may be used to treat certain children or teenagers with this illness.
• Stem cells Transplant: Healthy bone marrow from a donor is used to replace sickle cell anaemia-affected bone marrow.
• RBCs are taken out of donated blood and given to a patient through blood transfusion, however, there are difficulties, such as a lack of donors, concerns about a reliable supply of blood, a danger of infection, etc.

Symptoms –

• Infants with sickle cell anaemia may not exhibit symptoms for several months after birth.

• Jaundice, excruciatingly swollen hands and feet, extreme exhaustion, and fussiness.

Consequences –

• Because the malformed cells lack flexibility, they might obstruct tiny blood arteries and reduce blood flow.

• A persistent deficiency of red blood cells, or anaemia, often known as sickle-cell anaemia, results from the sickle cells dying too early.
• Necrosis, severe bacterial infections, and chronic acute pain syndromes (tissue death).

What measures have been used to eradicate SCA?

• Outreach initiatives - The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are implementing outreach initiatives to improve disease management and control.
• Portal for data collection – The Ministry of Tribal Affairs developed a portal where individuals can register themselves if they have the disease, allowing for the collection of all data pertaining to the ailment.
• Pre-marital and pre-conception screening services are established at the community level, supported by genetic counselling services, according to the National Health Mission guideline on hemoglobinopathies.
• Mission to end SCA: In the union budget for FY 2023–2024, it is stated that a mission to end sickle cell anaemia by 2047 will be launched.
• The mission calls for a concentration on raising awareness, widespread screening of those in the 0–40 age range in the impacted tribal communities, and counselling.
• The National Health Mission will provide funds for the endeavour.

World Sickle Cell Day

• A 2008 UNGA decision designating June 19 as "International Sickle Cell Day" makes it a yearly celebration. Therefore, 2009 saw the inaugural Sickle Cell Day.