Metabolic disorder clinic in Chennai

Chennai, Nov 23 (UNI) Foetal Care Research Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 'Narayana Hrudayalaya', Bangalore for setting up a metabolic disorder clinic in the state.

Speaking after signing the MoU, Foetal Care Research Centre managing trustee S Suresh said the new clinic, the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu, would be of great help as blood samples from the state need not be sent to Bangalore for tests any more.

As per the MoU, the ''Narayana Hrudayalaya'' would share the expertise and provide treatment assistance to the Chennai lab, which was inaugurated yesterday.

Metabolic disorders are very common in the country and occur one in every 2,500 births. If the disorder is not detected at an early stage, it can lead to mental retardation or even death. It is a curable genetic disorder caused due the deficiency of enzymes or hormones affecting the proper growth of the body. The test, which can detect above 500 potential disorders, costs around Rs 200.

'' The new clinic will help sensitise people on the disorder and its treatment and help minimise the time duration in availing treatment to save a life'', Dr Ananth N Rao, metabolic disorder consultant at the ''Narayana Hrudayalaya'' said.

Children born out of consanguineous marriages are at a higher risk of developing the disorder. It is hereditary with a risk rate of 25 per cent. But timely detection and treatment can ensure a normal life to the child. However, there are only six such clinics in the country at New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Ernakulam and now in Chennai.

UNI