Dr Saheb Sahu
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle celldisease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. Red blood cells which normally are round and flexible become rigid and sickle-shaped. Starting from childhood, these cells can block blood vessels and cause severe pain, anemia, infections, strokes, and damage to many vital organs. The disease is much more common among Aghria, Teli, Kulta, Kurmi, Panika, SC, and ST but can occur among all castes.
The Inheritance Risk
Sickle cell disease occurs when a child inherits disease causing hemoglobin gene from both the parents. If both the parents carry the sickle cell trait gene (AS), each pregnancy has:
. 25% chance of a child having sickle cell disease
. 25% chance of a child being normal
.50 % chance of a child having sickle cell trait.
Without testing parents with sickle cell trait, do not know that they are carrying the bad gene, which they will likely to pass on to their children.
What is The Test?
A simple blood test such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or capillary zone electrophoresis can identify the trait. Routine blood test is not good enough to make the diagnosis.
Who Should Get The test?
. People with family history of sickle cell disease
. All newborns
. Young adults planning to get married and have children
. Communities with high prevalence rate.
Get Tested, Know your status. Two people with the trait should not marry each other. Protect your future generation from this bad disease.
