25 January 2004	Sunday	02 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 24: Measures including provision for bone marrow transplantation are particularly required in Pakistan as more than 6000 children with thalassaemia major are born in the country every year.

These children are generally susceptible to other serious diseases.

Experts addressing a public awareness symposium on "Bone Marrow Transplantation" said the intervention is equally beneficial for those inflicted with aplastic anaemia, acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers.

B-Thalassaemia Major was, however, particularly cited to diminish the survival chance of thalassaemic kids before reaching the age of 10 years.

The only lasting option for their survival remains bone marrow transplant (BMT), a haematologist associated with the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Dr. Mohammad Irfan, reminded adding that the silent killer prohibits patients' capacity to produce blood and the condition is manifested through acute weakness, constant fever, pale complexion, loss of appetite and suspended growth.

According to him if the condition is identified within six months of its onset, which is possible through a cost- effective process of diagnosis then a temporary intervention based on regular blood transmission can be started.

This, he said has its associated risks as the iron content in his body rises by 100 grams affecting his liver, and different body hormones besides possibility of exposing them to high blood sugar levels, fits and so forth.

Speakers present on the occasion reminded that haematological malignancies are seven percent of all types of cancers reported in Pakistan, while over 500 cases of Aplastic Anaemia, a lethal disorder is registered each year in the country.

BMT was stated to have much improved response among Aplastic Anaemic and Blood Cancer patients respectively below 20 years of age.

Dr Tasneem Farzana, in her presentation, mentioned that BMT could be initiated either under allogenic bone-marrow transplant or autologous bone-Marrow transplant. The first procedure involved bone-marrow pulp from one (donor) to another (patient), and the second meant transfusion of a person's own marrow.

Dr Farzana said there currently existed only two full-fledged blood disease centres in the country; one functioning in Karachi on a non-profit basis had developed an efficient BMT facility. - APP