A 13-year-old Iraqi girl was treated for a rare genetic disorder osteogenesis imperfecta t the Kokilaben Ambani Hospital here on Monday. The genetic disorder which is rarely curable ails one in a million children in the world.
Zahraa Thani had been confined to her home for the last eight years and was unable to stand or walk. The disorder had caused severe bone fragility and repeated fractures and is considered incurable.
Zahraa’s condition was not diagnosed at birth and her development and growth was normal until the age of two, when she sustained her first fracture after a trivial injury. Her parents started getting worried when they realised that Zahraa was sustaining two to three fractures every year – most often after trivial injuries.
By the age of four, the bones of both her legs had deformed considerably due to repeated fractures, and she had to undergo two surgeries in Iraq. Both surgeries were unsuccessful and by the age of five, Zahraa was bedridden and confined to her home. “Being a genetic disorder, the disease itself is incurable, but several treatment strategies are available that can re-strengthen the bones and improve the quality of life. We employed new medicine surgery and were successful,” said Dr Aroojis from the Kokilaben Hospital.
An excited Zahraa said, “I wish to return to Iraq and resume school and play with my friends.”
