Genetic disorders can be found in newborns, youths: Experts

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 5

Genetic disorders are common and can have serious consequences for patients and his family. It may not be realised that this can be present in newborns, youths or even in adults. These vary from congenital birth defects, physical and mental retardation, some types of anemia, diseases of heart, muscle, and even seizure disorders.

Experts expressed these views at an international symposium on the advances made in genetic education held at the Department of Medicine of Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences here yesterday.

The symposium was organised in collaboration with Indo-UK Genetic Education forum under the chairmanship of Dr Anita Sharma, professor and head, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Nagar, Jolly Grant, Dehradun.

There are, however, limited facilities for diagnosis, counselling and treatment of genetic diseases in India, which is due to lack of adequate training of doctors in this field. The sessions covered all aspects of the practice of genetics, including patterns and spectrum of genetic disease, recent advances in the diagnosis of genetic diseases, organisation and running of genetic services and recent advances in the therapy of genetic diseases.

The symposium aims to pave the way for the introduction of screening and treatment of genetic diseases in medical institutions if the region and nearby states. The seminar highlighted genetic diseases of the heart in which person may develop heart failure or life-threatening disorders of heart rhythm which can be detected early and complications prevented.

Prof Pier Lambiase of London discussed about the Pharmacogenetics development in the field of modern clinical medicine. He gave a brief introduction on the topic which will help medical and other students to treat patients.

Dr Paul Van Haelst of Netherland gave a brief introduction for the laboratory diagnosis of various genetic and genomic techniques. Teaching and training of medical genetics should be included into the course, which was delivered by Prof Dhavendra Kumar of Wales, Cardiff of United Kingdom.

A team of 10 leading experts from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain and India delivered lectures in four sessions. These included Prof Dhavendra Kumar of the University of Cardiff and Prof Andrew Read of the University of Manchester and Professor Anita Sharma of HIMS. The symposium was attended by over 250 doctors, medical college faculty members, and medical students.