The birth of 52 babies affected with severe beta Thalassemia averted in Zahedan in 2023
Premarital screening can detect carriers of these diseases so that at-risk couples can be identified and advised about the possibility of bearing affected children. During last year, 52 babies with Beta thalassemia major have been prevented from being born in Zahedan by providing counseling and education services.
Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, International Affairs Office
Published on: 08 January 2024
Thalassemia is the most common single gene disorder globally and has high burden in Iran and other Middle East countries. Beta Thalassemia major is a major health burden. Prevention programs in several countries involve public education, carrier screening, prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, and counseling.
Premarital screening can detect carriers of these diseases so that at-risk couples can be identified and advised about the possibility of bearing affected children. During last year, 52 babies with Beta thalassemia major have been prevented from being born in Zahedan by providing counseling and education services.
According to public relations report, Dr. Mehdi Zanganeh, Vice Chancellor for Health of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, said: “Fetus affected by severe thalassemia can be detected by performing genetics screening tests and sampling, and the birth of a baby with this severe disease can be prevented”.
Dr. Zanganeh continued: “Currently, premarital counseling centers are offering counselling and screening services in all cities covered by Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in order to improve family health”.
He emphasized the need to raise community awareness regarding prevention of beta thalassemia in Sistan and Blouchestan Province stating: “Since cultural and religious ideas can affect such decisions related beta thalassemia prevention in some Islamic countries, promoting the use of a genetic counselling services can help prevent most of new thalassemia cases. Therefore, it is necessary for all organizations, trustees, and religious figures to cooperate with the health system in raising people's awareness about beta thalassemia and other genetic disorders”.
The Vice Chancellor for Health of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences requested all couples who are planning to get married to utilize counselling services to avoid possible problems and prevent the increase of cases of genetic diseases and refrain from getting married without getting screened and tested.
Dr. Mohammad Kazem Momeni, Vice Chancellor for Treatment Affairs of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, also said: “Currently, there are 1705 patients have been identified with thalassemia major in the areas covered by Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and have been receiving treatment services”.
He stated that the best way to prevent the birth of a child with thalassemia major is to prevent the marriage of couples carrier of beta thalassemia and said: “If two people with minor thalassemia marry each other, it is necessary to carry out genetic counselling and screening to identify affected fetuses”.
He added: "Unfortunately, we are witnessing that there are families in Sistan and Baluochestan Province who have several children with thalassemia, even though a simple test before marriage and before pregnancy can prevent the birth of new babies with thalassemia major”.
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