A significant project worth Rs 3.59 million has been awarded to Guru Nanak Dev University’s Department of Human Genetics by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s Department of Biotechnology for “screening of pregnant women and infants.”
The university’s scientists will strive to make this research a success and report the findings to the government so that it can take the necessary actions at the correct time for the good of society, according to GNDU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjit Singh.
At the Civil Hospital in Ferozepur, Dr. Vasudha Sambyal, the project coordinator, and Dr. Anupam Kau, the principal investigator, along with Dr. Kamlesh Guleria, will carry out the project in coordination with Dr. Nikhil Gupta, the senior medical officer, and a group of paediatricians and gynaecologists.
Pregnant women are screened for haemoglobinopathies, beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease, dual anemia, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes as part of this initiative.
Congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, galactosemia, biotinidase deficiency, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, neural tube abnormalities, and Down syndrome are among the seven major hereditary metabolic disorders that can be treated in newborns.
“Paramedical health workers will receive training on identifying families and children at high risk of genetic abnormalities, and couples with a family history of genetic disorders or recurrent pregnancy loss will receive genetic counselling,” Prof. Sambyal stated.
Furthermore, the team will be in charge of educating Ferozepur’s school and college students about hereditary disorders that can be prevented.
-NSH Digidesk
