19/06/2020
SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD)
Sickle cell anemia is one of a group of disorders known as sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
Normally, the flexible, round red blood cells move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These rigid, sticky cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body.
SYMPTOMS:
Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 5 months of age. They vary from person to person and change over time. Signs and symptoms can include:
~Anemia-decrease in the amount of red blood cells.
~Episodes of pain.
~Frequent infection.
~Delayed in puberty.
~Oedema (swelling) of hands and feet.
~Vision problems.
HOW DO PEOPLE GET SICKLE CELL DISEASE?
Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition and is determined by a single pair of genes (one from each parent). Two genes for the sickle hemoglobin must be inherited from one's parents in order to have the disease. A person who receives a gene for sickle cell disease from one parent and a normal gene from the other has a condition called "sickle cell trait"(AS). On the other hand, one who inherit a pair of sickle cell gene (one from each parent) is said to have sickle cell disease (SS).
i.e Both mother and father must pass the defective form of the gene for a child to be affected.
N/B:
Sickle cell trait produces no symptoms or problems for most people. Sickle cell disease can neither be contracted nor passed on to another person. The severity of sickle cell disease varies tremendously. Some people with sickle cell disease lead lives that are nearly normal. Others are less fortunate, and can suffer from a variety of complications.
PREVENTION:
If you carry the sickle cell trait, contact a health care professional before trying to conceive.
This can help you understand your risk of having a child with sickle cell anemia. They can also explain possible treatments, preventive measures and reproductive options.
POSSIBLE TREATMENT:
Treatments might include medications and blood transfusions. For some children and teenagers, a stem cell transplant might cure the disease.
HOW CAN ONE GET TESTED FOR SICKLE CELL TRAIT?
Sickle cell trait can be tested using routine hemoglobin electrophoresis. If you are concerned about the possibility of having sickle cell trait, you should contact us.
Know your genotype today. 👇
We celebrate 🎊 all the sickle cell warriors.
