Keralam: Kerala High Court has permitted a couple expecting a baby with skeletal dysplasia, a rare genetic condition affecting bone and cartilage development, to be given to the Child Welfare Committee(CWC) post-delivery.
As PTI reports, Justice Harisankar V Menon said in court that medical termination wasn’t possible in this particular case despite the couple not being ready to raise the child, so that the child could be handed over to the CWC.
The couple had already approached the High Court seeking termination of their pregnancy, which was 33 weeks long. The medical board appointed by the court rejected their pleas, citing that the foetus had a non-lethal form of skeletal dysplasia.
Skeletal dysplasia in general affects the musculoskeletal system, with some forms including achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia, which affect bone growth, while certain other variations may lead to underdeveloped lungs or stillbirth.
According to Pediatric Physiotherapist Sarika, skeletal dysplasia is an umbrella term for genetic conditions affecting bone and cartilage development, which will mainly affect a person’s locomotion or movement in general. She says that in all pregnancies, it is important that the couple is given awareness about the tests which can be done to identify many such conditions from an earlier stage. She also adds that in many countries, pre-pregnancy counselling about all such conditions is given.
During the counselling, the couple will be given awareness about various diseases, genetic conditions, multiple mental and physical disabilities and other neurological conditions. Such a practice should be strengthened in India too, not just in private hospitals but in government-run ones also, she added. She points out the fact that not all couples will be in a position to raise a child with disabilities or special needs mentally, physically and financially, despite the medical termination option being rejected.