Sisters cured of rare disease
Suffered from Moyamoya , a condition that can cause fatal strokes
Forty-two-year-old Deepa Saha from West Bengal is probably the first mother in the country to witness her two daughters, aged 10 and four, suffer from a rare condition called Moyamoya which causes repeated paralytic strokes.
This is a disorder – mostly found in Japan and Korea – characterized by the blockage of arteries supplying blood to the brain, and therefore putting them at a higher risk of stroke. This is caused due to constriction of the arteries in the brain, which in turn cause blood clots and temporary stoppage of blood supply to cause strokes. If untreated, the disorder could be fatal, say experts.
It was in May last year at their residence in Chakdaha in West Bengal when her elder daughter Srija, 10, suddenly collapsed with violent convulsions while having a bath. Deepa had never seen this happen to Srija. She immediately rushed her to hospital where she was informed that her daughter was suffering a stroke. A thorough MRI revealed Srija was suffering from Moyamoya.
About Moyamoya
This is a rare disorder mostly found in Japan and Korea. The term Moyamoya means “puff of smoke” in Japanese. It is characterised by blockage of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain, and therefore posing a threat of paralytic stroke. Increasing number of patients suffering from Moyamoya Disease is being reported in India.
Forty-two-year-old Deepa Saha from West Bengal is probably the first mother in the country to witness her two daughters, aged 10 and four, suffer from a rare condition called Moyamoya which causes repeated paralytic strokes.
This is a disorder – mostly found in Japan and Korea – characterized by the blockage of arteries supplying blood to the brain, and therefore putting them at a higher risk of stroke. This is caused due to constriction of the arteries in the brain, which in turn cause blood clots and temporary stoppage of blood supply to cause strokes. If untreated, the disorder could be fatal, say experts.
It was in May last year at their residence in Chakdaha in West Bengal when her elder daughter Srija, 10, suddenly collapsed with violent convulsions while having a bath. Deepa had never seen this happen to Srija. She immediately rushed her to hospital where she was informed that her daughter was suffering a stroke. A thorough MRI revealed Srija was suffering from Moyamoya.
There was more in store for the mother. Two months later, her younger daughter Pritha, 4, who had just joined school, too, was diagnosed with the same disorder after she complained of numbness in her left hand and leg. When both children continued to suffer repeated minor episodes of paralytic stroke, the parents decided to bring them down to Nimhans in Bengaluru. Doctors there referred them to Dr Paritosh Pandey, consultant neurosurgeon, Manipal Hospitals. Dr Pandey informed the parents that the girls would have to undergo two surgeries each. Srija was first to be operated upon in September 2014 and Pritha in December. The second operations were successfully carried out on April 1 by Dr Pandey. Seeing both her daughters being operated on the same day is no easy task for any mother, Deepa admits; but says she, her husband and children are now a relieved lot.
About Moyamoya
This is a rare disorder mostly found in Japan and Korea. The term Moyamoya means “puff of smoke” in Japanese. It is characterised by blockage of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain, and therefore posing a threat of paralytic stroke. Increasing number of patients suffering from Moyamoya Disease is being reported in India.
