Ahmedabad: With 10,000 children born with thalassemia major in India every year, the nation faces a significant health concern. Thalassemia major, a fatal blood disorder, necessitates regular blood transfusions, with affected children requiring up to 60 bottles of blood annually. International Thalassemia Day, observed on May 8th, aims to raise public awareness of this devastating condition.

Thalassemia major and minor are both genetic conditions, but only the former is considered a disease. Thalassemia minor is a chromosomal abnormality that doesn't typically cause health issues. However, when both parents have thalassemia minor, there is a 25% chance that their child will develop thalassemia major. If one parent has thalassemia major, the risk for the child increases.

In India, 8 out of 10 people are unaware they carry the thalassemia gene. This lack of knowledge highlights the importance of genetic testing for prospective parents, as detecting the condition can greatly impact the health and well-being of their future family.