WHAT IS SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

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Overview

Sickle Cell Disease is a group of blood disorder. It is inherited from both parents. Sickle Cell Disease makes red blood cells change shape and die fast. It is a serious disease. SCD distorts the round red blood cells into a sickle shape. ‘SCD is an autosomal recessive condition. You need two copies of the gene to have the disease.’ https://www.healthline.com/health/sickle-cell-anemia . Sickle Cell Disease can also be referred to as Sickle Cell Anemia.

Types of Sickle Cell Disease.

There are various types of SCD. These differences are as a result of gene mutation. Here are the common types:

• Hemoglobin SS disease
• Hemoglobin SC disease
• Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia
• Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia

Others include:

• Hemoglobin SD
• Hemoglobin SE
• Hemoglobin SO

These are not as severe as the common types.

Who can suffer from Sickle Cell Disease?

Children whose parents have sickle cell traits are at risk. SCD can occur in people from areas that have malaria. SCD is prevalent in races that are of African origin, India, Mediterranean, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.

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Sickle Cell Trait

Sickle Cell Trait occurs in parents . ”A person with SCT has inherited only one copy of the sickle cell gene from a parent. A person with sickle cell disease (SCD) has two copies of the gene, one from each parent. Because a person with SCT has only one copy of the gene, they will never develop sickle cell disease. Instead, they’re considered a carrier for the disease. That means they can pass the gene for the disease on to their children. Depending on the genetic makeup of each parent, any child can have varying chances of having SCT and developing sickle cell disease.” https://www.healthline.com/health/sickle-cell-trait. Parents carry the sickle cell trait but do not suffer from sickle cell.

A good knowledge of SCD is a sure route to resolving the disease. There are many myths and misconceptions about SCD. You can never go wrong with knowledge. Information is power. Grab it and run. Get more information from: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/sickle-cell-disease . We need knowledge on issues about sickle cell. It will help people make informed decisions. Genotype is unraveled. Yet it is a major factor that decides sickle cell disease. What is genotype? www.familyfaculties.com

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