anurag@ubvax.UB.Com (Anurag Khemka) (03/31/89)
A friend of mine in India has a 75 days old daughter. This little baby is
diagnosed of a deadly blood disease called "Thalassemia". In medical
terms, the additional complications are "Beta" major with "Hbs" Contents.
In India, the doctors say that there is no cure for this illness as known to
them. The girl could survive at the maximum 15 to 20 years and that too only
if she is frequently given pure blood by transfusion. The disease impairs the
synthesis of hemoglobin chain in blood cells and thus the ability to purify
the blood. This disease occurs most frequently among Mediterranean or Oriental
populations.
As told by the doctors, the frequency of blood transfusion could be as
high as once in 15 days and in extreme cases, whole blood might need
a replacement. This situation has created a dilemma for my friend's family.
The doctor says that as a lots of research going on, a cure might be invented
in few years, in which case the girl would be saved. Otherwise she will die
during her late teens and this death would be very painful not only for the
girl (because of ill health and impaired abilities) but also for the family.
Now there are two solutions to this problem. First is to keep the girl under
all medical help and wait for either a cure or her painful death. And the
second is to let the girl die an easy death now. The dilemma is such that
no parent can take any decision. This girl is also their first child.
But the only ray of hope is an already existing cure, somewhere on this glob
unknown to doctors in India. I am posting this letter to know if any one there
in the netland, knows anything about this disease. Any suggestions, references,
pointers to right persons or organizations or a history of a similar case
will be greatly appreciated.
Please do not clutter the net with replies, instead direct them to me, I shall
do a posting summarizing all the information.
Thank you all.
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Anurag Khemka
email : anurag@ubvax.ub.com voice: work - (408) 562-5585,
usmail: 3900, Freedom Circle, HQ-1, home - (408) 985-9419
Santa Clara, CA-95052-58030.
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