Kerala sees sharp rise in children born with genetic defects: Thiruvananthapuram tops list

Thiruvananthapuram: The number of children born with genetic defects in Kerala is on the rise, according to findings by the state assembly’s estimates committee. The data was collected through tests conducted under the newborn screening programme.

The report showed that 2,635 children were born with genetic defects in 2021. The figure rose to 3,232 in 2022 and further to 4,779 in 2023. The committee, chaired by KK Shailaja, has recommended a detailed study to identify the reasons behind the increase.

Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of affected children, followed by Kollam, Malappuram, and Kozhikode. The committee noted that only the total number of affected children was available, and said that information on the number of tests conducted in each district was also needed to determine whether genetic disorders are more prevalent in certain areas.

The trend was further confirmed in tests conducted at medical colleges in 2024 under the Health Department’s ‘Shalabham’ project, which also showed the highest number of cases in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The committee cited multiple possible causes for the increase in genetic disorders, including advanced parental age, late pregnancies, lifestyle diseases, poor diet, and excessive mobile phone use.

Failure to spend money

It also expressed concern over the declining annual allocation for the state’s microdiagnosis programme, which plays a key role in early detection and prevention of such conditions.

District-wise statistics of people with genetic disorders