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Thalassaemia Treatment and Care for Children: Best Practices and Guidelines
Thalassaemia Treatment and Care for Children: Best Practices and Guidelines
Blog /
2023-05-08
By Admin

Enhancing Care for Children with Thalassaemia: Adam & Eve Pediatric Treatment

Thalassaemia in Children

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Children with thalassaemia produce either less haemoglobin than normal or abnormal haemoglobin. This can lead to anaemia, which is a condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to its tissues and it needs a pediatric treatment department.

Thalassaemia is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means that a child must inherit two copies of the faulty gene, one from each parent, to develop the condition. If a child inherits only one copy of the faulty gene, they may be a carrier of thalassaemia, but they will not develop the condition themselves. Pediatric Treatment under the best pediatric doctor is necessary to ensure the best care for the child with thalassaemia.

There are two main types of thalassaemia:

Thalassaemia Major Thalassaemia Minor

Thalassaemia major is the more severe form of the condition that needs pediatric treatment care, in which a child inherits two copies of the faulty gene. Thalassaemia minor is the milder form of the condition, in which a child inherits one copy of the faulty gene and one normal gene.

Children with thalassaemia major require lifelong Pediatric Treatment, including regular blood transfusions and chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body. They may also require bone marrow transplantation, which is currently the only cure for thalassaemia. Children with thalassaemia minor may not require Pediatric Treatment, but they are at risk of passing the faulty gene on to their own children.

Thalassaemia can have a significant impact on a child's physical and emotional well-being, and it is important for them to receive ongoing support and care from Adam & Eve Specialised Medical Centre’s Pediatric Treatment department and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Thalassaemia Pediatric Treatment and Care for Children

Children with thalassaemia require lifelong treatment and care to manage their symptoms and prevent complications. In this blog, we will discuss the best practices and guidelines for thalassaemia Pediatric Treatment and care for children.

Regular Blood Transfusions:

The primary Pediatric Treatment for thalassaemia is regular blood transfusions. This involves replacing the damaged or missing haemoglobin with healthy red blood cells. Children with thalassaemia major, the more severe form of the disorder, require transfusions every 2 to 4 weeks. It is important to maintain the haemoglobin level between 9-10 g/dL in prepubertal and between 10-12 g/dL in post-pubertal children.

Chelation Therapy:

Blood transfusions increase the body's iron levels, which can lead to iron overload and organ damage. Chelation therapy is used to remove excess iron from the body. Children with thalassaemia require regular chelation therapy under pediatric treatment to prevent iron overload. The different types of chelators available are Deferoxamine, Deferasirox, and Deferiprone.

Bone Marrow Transplantation:

Bone marrow transplantation is the only cure for thalassaemia. It involves replacing the faulty bone marrow cells with healthy ones from a donor. Bone marrow transplantation is usually reserved for children with severe thalassaemia who have a compatible donor. It is important to select the donor carefully and ensure close follow-up and post-transplant pediatric treatment care.

Folic Acid Supplementation:

Folic acid is essential for the production of red blood cells as recommended by the Pediatric Treatment guide. Children with thalassaemia often have a higher demand for folic acid due to increased red blood cell turnover. Folic acid supplementation is recommended to support red blood cell production and prevent complications such as anaemia and fatigue.

Vaccinations:

Children with thalassaemia are at an increased risk of infections due to regular blood transfusions and weakened immune systems. It is important to ensure that they receive all pediatric treatment recommended vaccinations, including the annual flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine, to prevent infections.

Regular Monitoring:

Thalassaemia is a chronic condition that requires regular monitoring to manage its symptoms and prevent complications. Children with thalassaemia should have regular check-ups with a pediatric treatment haematologist, who can monitor their haemoglobin levels, iron levels, and overall health.

Emotional Support:

Thalassaemia can have a significant impact on a child's emotional well-being. Children with thalassaemia may experience anxiety, depression, and social isolation due to their condition. It is important to provide pediatric treatment, emotional support and counselling to help them cope with their condition and improve their quality of life.

Pediatric Tips for Thalassemia Care for Children

Regular follow-up appointments: Children with thalassemia require ongoing care from a pediatric treatment department at Adam & Eve Specialised Medical Centre. It is important for children to attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor their condition, adjust their treatment plan if necessary, and address any concerns or questions they may have.

Proper nutrition: Children with thalassemia may have specific nutritional needs, such as increased iron intake for those with thalassemia minor or increased calorie and protein intake for those with thalassemia major. A registered dietitian can help develop a nutrition plan tailored to each child's specific needs.

Physical activity: Pediatric treatment department says regular physical activity is important for children with thalassemia, as it can help improve cardiovascular function and overall health. However, children with thalassemia may need to avoid certain high-impact activities that could increase their risk of injury.

Emotional support: Thalassemia can have a significant impact on a child's emotional well-being, especially as they navigate ongoing pediatric treatment and care. It is important for children to receive emotional support from family members, healthcare professionals, and potentially mental health professionals to help them cope with their condition.

Education and advocacy: Education about thalassemia can help children and their families better understand the condition and how to manage it. Advocacy from the best paediatrician at Adam & Eve SSpecilized Medical Centre can help raise awareness about thalassemia and the importance of early detection and treatment, as well as support research efforts to find better pediatric treatment and a cure for the condition.

Thalassaemia is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment and cares to manage its symptoms and prevent complications. Regular blood transfusions, chelation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, folic acid supplementation, vaccinations, regular monitoring, and emotional support are all essential components of thalassaemia pediatric treatment and care for children. It is important to work closely with Adam & Eve’s pediatric treatment department to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that meets the unique needs of each child with thalassaemia.

We have put together a selection of our most popular blogs on a range of topics related to health, including mental health, nutrition, exercise, and more. Read through our other blogs to gain a better understanding of how to maintain good physical and mental well-being. With the right knowledge, you can make sure that you are taking the right steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

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