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As the World Primary Immunodeficiency Week draws to a close, medical experts in India have sounded an alarm over the escalating incidence of undiagnosed immune deficiencies among children under the age of five. According to specialists, this concerning trend poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of young Indians.
Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs), classified as inborn errors of immunity, encompass a spectrum of over 450 rare and chronic conditions impairing the body’s immune system. Dr. Gaurav Kharya, Director of the Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, emphasized that these conditions, if left undetected, could have fatal consequences for affected children.
“The prevalence of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) is on the rise in India,” Dr. Kharya stated. “These are potentially fatal genetic conditions that affect a child’s immune system, making them more susceptible to infections, autoimmunity, and malignancies.”
Dr. Sagar Bhattad, Consultant in Paediatric Immunology & Rheumatology at Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore, corroborated this observation, citing a significant increase in cases over the past decade.
“Over the past seven years, we’ve identified more than 450 children suffering from rare and complex immune deficiency diseases,” Dr. Bhattad revealed. “This represents a five-fold increase compared to a decade ago, with over 125 diagnoses made in the past year alone.”
Experts estimate that before 2004, fewer than 50 cases of immune deficiency were identified nationally. However, projections suggest a substantial rise, with an estimated 2,500-3,000 cases expected in 2024—an alarming 300-400 percent increase over the past decade.
The surge in cases, doctors argue, is compounded by a lack of awareness about these conditions and insufficient treatment facilities, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Kharya emphasized that genetic conditions like PIDs are more prevalent in communities practicing consanguineous marriages, further exacerbating the problem.
To address this growing health crisis, medical professionals stress the importance of early detection through recognizing signs and symptoms, as well as advocating for wider availability of affordable genetic testing. Dr. Bhattad highlighted the potential of bone marrow transplants (BMT) as a curative treatment for certain primary immunodeficiencies, underscoring the need for timely intervention.
“By identifying these conditions at early stages, children can receive the targeted treatment they need to avoid frequent infections and the overuse of antibiotics,” Dr. Bhattad affirmed.
In closing, experts underscored the urgency of collective action to ensure that no child is deprived of a healthy life due to an undiagnosed immune deficiency.
“By working together, we can ensure that no child misses out on a healthy life due to an undiagnosed immune deficiency,” Dr. Kharya concluded, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to address this pressing public health issue.
As the World Primary Immunodeficiency Week concludes, the call to action resonates louder than ever, urging stakeholders to prioritize early detection and intervention to safeguard the health and well-being of India’s youngest generation.
