Newborn screening programme for sickle cell reduced death rate to below 5 pc: ICMR-CRMCH
New Delhi: Newborn screening programme for sickle cell disease (SCD), undertaken between 2019-2024, reduced mortality risk to below 5 per cent from the earlier 20 to 30 per cent, said Dr. Manisha Madkaikar, Director of ICMR- Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur.
Speaking to IANS, Madkaikar explained how the Newborn Screening Programme 2019-2024 found that an early diagnosis can significantly boost the outcomes of the chronic, single-gene disorder.
SCD is a chronic, single-gene disorder that causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterised by chronic anaemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, and chronic organ damage, significantly reducing life expectancy.
The genetic blood disorder affects the entire life of the patient, as it leads to various severe health complications.
'Newborn screening programme is recommended for sickle cell disease because as early you diagnose the sickle cell disease, you can initiate comprehensive care in the form of penicillin prophylaxis, some vitamins, appropriate vaccination, and then hydroxyurea therapy,' Madkaikar told IANS.
'Our newborn screening has shown that comprehensive care could be given early to patients, it has significantly brought down the mortality which was earlier mortality rate was reported to be around 20 to 30 per cent, this has brought down the mortality risk less than 5 per cent,' she added.
In a study, conducted by the ICMR-National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH) in Mumbai, about 63,536 newborns were tested for a period of five years.
Of the total newborns tested, 57 per cent belonged to tribal parents, while 43 per cent were from non-tribals.
The yet-to-be-published study identified 546 cases of sickle cell disease.
The study was led across seven centres in high prevalence areas of India, namely Udaipur (Rajasthan), Bharuch (Gujarat), Palghar, Chandrapur and Ghadchiroli (Maharashtra), Mandla and Dhindori (Madhya Pradesh), Nabrangpur and Kandhamal (Odisha), and the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu).
Centres in Gujarat reported the highest number of SCD cases (134), followed by Maharashtra (127), Odisha (126). Other centres with SCD cases include Madhya Pradesh (97), Rajasthan (41), and Tamil Nadu (21). Mortality due to SCD was identified in 22 cases (4.15 per cent), revealed the study.
'The study showed that early intervention definitely helps, it also helps in cascade screening as you identify one baby with the sickle cell disease, you counsel the family, you test the family members, and it helps in further diagnosis of existing patients as well as prevention of further birth of further the disease. So, newborn screening activity must be done for all the newborns in sickle cell prevalent areas,' Madkaikar told IANS.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
New study warns of rising cancer burden in Kerala
T'puram: A recent study presented at the Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025 reveals alarming cancer trends in the state, with Kerala reporting an average 88,460 cases annually-43,110 among males and 45,350 among females. The national average stands at 1.56 million cases, making Kerala's contribution significant at nearly 5.7% of India's total cancer burden. By 2030, projections indicate a further rise to 43,930 cases in men and 45,813 in women. The report presented by Prof Prashant Mathur, Director, ICMR-National Center for Disease Informatics and Research, Bengaluru, points to stark gender-based disparities in cancer prevalence. Among men, lung cancer leads at 14%, followed by oral cavity (10%), colorectal (10%), prostate (9%), and liver cancers (8%). For women, breast cancer dominates at 34%, with thyroid (11%), colorectal (9%), uterine (6%), and ovarian cancers (4%) following. Among males, the most common cancers were lung (14%), oral cavity (10%), colorectum (10%), prostate (9%), and Jliver (8%). In females, breast cancer accounted for a striking 34%, followed by thyroid (11%), colorectum (9%), corpus uteri (6%), and ovary (4%). Dr Mathur highlighted the rising prevalence of lung, prostate, and liver cancers in men, and breast and thyroid cancers in women. Liver cancer, in particular, continues to show a rapid increase across both genders over the past two decades. In terms of crude mortality rates in Kerala in 2024, lung cancer led among men at 28.9%, followed by liver (18.9%), prostate (11.2%), stomach (8.3%), and mouth (8.3%). For women, breast cancer had the highest crude mortality rate at 37.5%, followed by lung (8.3%), ovary (6.6%), thyroid (6.1%), and cervix uteri (5.2%). Lung cancer mortality among men in the state is 28.9%, while the national average is only 7.8%. For breast cancer in women, Kerala's mortality rate is 37.5%, far above the national average of 14.9%.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Sugar ban, salt limit in food for ANC, school kids in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: In a move that aims at promoting healthier dietary habits among children, the Odisha government has decided to eliminate the use of refined sugar and limit salt usage in meals served under the PM POSHAN scheme. In a recent directive, district education officers (DEOs) have been asked to ensure jaggery is used, if sweetening is necessary. 'Refined sugar must not be used in any form in the preparation of meals under the PM POSHAN. Addition of jaggery should also be limited to less than 5 per cent of the total energy content to prevent excess intake of discretionary calories,' the advisory stated. The direction came following the recommendation by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and advisory from the Ministry of Women and Child Development to limit sugar content in packaged foods and beverages, in view of rising health concerns linked to high sugar intake. The advisory also stipulated that the usage of salt be minimised to encourage healthier eating patterns among children. It has asked for the strict avoidance of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS), aligning with the dietary recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the dietary guidelines for Indians.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
New study warns of rising cancer burden in Kerala
T'puram: A recent study presented at the Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025 reveals alarming cancer trends in the state, with Kerala reporting an average 88,460 cases annually—43,110 among males and 45,350 among females. The national average stands at 1.56 million cases, making Kerala's contribution significant at nearly 5.7% of India's total cancer burden. By 2030, projections indicate a further rise to 43,930 cases in men and 45,813 in women. The report presented by Prof Prashant Mathur, Director, ICMR-National Center for Disease Informatics and Research, Bengaluru, points to stark gender-based disparities in cancer prevalence. Among men, lung cancer leads at 14%, followed by oral cavity (10%), colorectal (10%), prostate (9%), and liver cancers (8%). For women, breast cancer dominates at 34%, with thyroid (11%), colorectal (9%), uterine (6%), and ovarian cancers (4%) following. Among males, the most common cancers were lung (14%), oral cavity (10%), colorectum (10%), prostate (9%), and Jliver (8%). In females, breast cancer accounted for a striking 34%, followed by thyroid (11%), colorectum (9%), corpus uteri (6%), and ovary (4%). Dr Mathur highlighted the rising prevalence of lung, prostate, and liver cancers in men, and breast and thyroid cancers in women. Liver cancer, in particular, continues to show a rapid increase across both genders over the past two decades. In terms of crude mortality rates in Kerala in 2024, lung cancer led among men at 28.9%, followed by liver (18.9%), prostate (11.2%), stomach (8.3%), and mouth (8.3%). For women, breast cancer had the highest crude mortality rate at 37.5%, followed by lung (8.3%), ovary (6.6%), thyroid (6.1%), and cervix uteri (5.2%). Lung cancer mortality among men in the state is 28.9%, while the national average is only 7.8%. For breast cancer in women, Kerala's mortality rate is 37.5%, far above the national average of 14.9%.
