09/03/2025
I’ll never forget the day I met a couple who had lost two of their children to Sickle Cell Disease (SS). The pain and fear in their eyes were perceptible. Both children had suffered excruciating bone pain crises in the hospital, and the couple was not only grieving their loss but also afraid to get pregnant again, fearing their next child would also inherit the disease.
The couple shared their heartbreaking story with me, and I was left speechless. Their children had passed away within a year of each other. But then, they looked at me with hope in their eyes and asked, ‘Doctor, can you help us?’ They had heard that I might be able to offer a solution.
I took a deep breath and explained that while it would be difficult and expensive, they had options. With IVF and pre-implantation genetic analysis, they could determine the genotype of their babies before they were even implanted in the womb. This meant they could ensure their children would have the AA genotype, free from Sickle Cell Disease.
The technology of IVF, combined with genetic analysis, has revolutionized the lives of couples with AS genotypes who want to start a family. No longer do they have to fear being told they can’t marry due to their genotype. There is hope.
If you’re a couple facing similar challenges, don’t be afraid to ask questions. With IVF, a lot is possible. Take control of your future and explore your options.
