Combatting Sickle Cell Disease
- October 4, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
Combatting Sickle Cell Disease
Sub: Sci
Sec: Health
Why in News
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic disorder that significantly reduces life expectancy and causes severe complications, continues to pose a challenge in India. Recent reports from rural Maharashtra have highlighted remarkable efforts in managing the disease, offering hope and relief to patients in marginalized communities.
About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited haemoglobin disorder characterised by a genetic mutation that causes red blood cells (RBCs) to assume a sickle or crescent shape rather than their normal round shape.
This abnormality in RBCs results in increased rigidity, impairing their ability to circulate effectively throughout the body. Consequently, individuals with SCD often experience complications such as anaemia, organ damage, recurrent and severe pain episodes, and a shortened lifespan.
Sickle cell disease is a common monogenic disorder of haemoglobin.
India has the highest prevalence of SCD in South Asia, with over 20 million affected individuals.
As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, marginalised tribal populations are most vulnerable to SCD.
Symptoms: Symptoms of sickle cell disease can vary, but some common symptoms are-
Chronic anaemia which leads to fatigue, weakness, and paleness.
Painful episodes (also known as sickle cell crisis) cause sudden and intense pain in the bones, chest, back, arms, and legs.
Delayed growth and puberty.
Treatment Processes:
Blood Transfusions: These can help relieve anaemia and reduce the risk of pain crises.
Hydroxyurea: This medication can help reduce the frequency of painful episodes and prevent some of the disease’s long-term complications.
Gene Therapy: It can also be treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation by methods like Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR).
National Mission to Eliminate SCD 2047:
There is a need for a paediatric formulation of hydroxyurea in line with the National Mission to eliminate SCD by 2047.
Under the Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is developing gene-editing therapies for SCD.