Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Detection of Residual Donor Erythroid Progenitor Cells after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies
11:59

Detection of Residual Donor Erythroid Progenitor Cells after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies

Published on: September 6, 2017

Awareness among parents of children with thalassemia major

Fehmina Arif1, Jabeen Fayyaz, Ahmer Hamid

  • 1Paediatric Unit 1, Dow University of Health Sciences, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|November 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Parental awareness of thalassaemia major (TM) is inadequate, with low knowledge of disease transmission, screening, and treatment. Education is crucial for parents of children with TM and the general public.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Thalassaemia major (TM) is a significant inherited blood disorder requiring lifelong management.
  • Parental understanding of TM is critical for effective disease management and prevention of transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the level of awareness among parents of children diagnosed with thalassaemia major.
  • To identify knowledge gaps regarding disease transmission, screening, and treatment options.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Paediatric OPD, interviewing 120 parents of children with TM.
  • Data was collected via a pre-designed questionnaire covering disease duration, blood screening, transmission, prevention, and treatment awareness.

Main Results:

  • Only 15.8% of parents understood the importance of blood screening.
  • Awareness of desferrioxamine (desferrol) was present in 55%, but adequate use was only 10.9%.
  • A mere 15% knew TM is inherited, with low rates of family screening (5.8%) and antenatal diagnosis (5%).

Conclusions:

  • Parental awareness regarding thalassaemia major is significantly inadequate.
  • There is a pressing need to sensitize the general public and parents of children with TM.
  • Targeted educational interventions are required to improve knowledge and management of TM.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...
Rh Blood Group01:19

Rh Blood Group

The Rhesus (Rh) antigen is crucial in determining blood groups and ensuring compatibility during blood transfusions.
Disorders of Erythrocytes01:27

Disorders of Erythrocytes

Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Overview of Hematopoiesis01:20

Overview of Hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...