By Akpoyovwaire Aghogho Uniquette
World sickle cell
day is United Nation recognized day to raise awareness of sickle cell at a
national level and international level. Sickle cell disorder is recognized as a
public health and one of the most world's foremost genetic disorders.
Sickle cell disorder
is an inherited disorder that affects the hemoglobin in the red blood cells
which causes the red blood cells to be malformed in shaped, rigid and breakdown
easily. This malformed red blood cells leads to severe excruciating pain called
a pain crisis.
Sickle cell disorder
is inherited from both parents who have sickle cell trait genotype AS or AC
leading to the birth of a their child with
either SS or SC genotype.
Sickle cell disorder
has a lot of effects to a sickle cell warrior and their family; we have the
1. Physical effect:
pain, delayed growth, complications like leg ulcer, stroke, acute chest
syndrome, jaundice.
2. Emotional effect:
low self-esteem, anger against parents and against God and so on.
3. Financial effect:
a lot of medical bills to pay.
4. Social effect:
stigmatization from society, not been able to meet the demand of the society.
It is advisable for
everyone to know their genotype especially because going into a serious
relationship leading to marriage. Doing this enables you to know what you are
getting involved with before going into marriage.
Genotype probability
and compatibility:
AA + AA = 100%
chance normal children. (Excellent)
AA + AS = 50% chance
normal children and 50% chance trait children (AS) (very good)
AA + SS = 25% chance
trait children. (Good)
AS + AS = 25% chance
normal children , 50% chance trait children and 25% chance sickled children
(fair)
AS + SS = 50% chance
trait children 50% chance sickle children (bad)
SS + SS = 100%
chance sickled children (very bad)
All these are
probability of a single pregnancy, so you cannot determine which probability
will happen to you, know your genotype.
Nigeria has the
highest burden of sickle cell disorder in the world with over 150,000 babies
born annually. One in two babies born with sickle cell disorder is Nigerian
with only 5% of these children live past the age of 10 years. There is a lot
myth and misconceptions about sickle cell disorder and below are the most
common myth with the fact concerning the myth.
Myth 1: Only Black
people suffer from SCD
Fact: SCD does not
discriminate based on ethnicity or skin color; sickle cell can affect any race
and person on the planet.
Myth #2: It is a contagious blood-borne
disorder
Fact: SCD is a
genetic condition present at birth. Sickle cell disorder is not transferable it
is inherited.
Myth #3: People with
the disorder are immune to malaria.
Fact: Malaria may
contribute to higher mortality rates among people with SCD in Africa.
Myth #4: People
exaggerate SCD pain for access to drugs
Fact: The most
common symptom of SCD is severe pain. This pain often does not respond to
over-the-counter pain medicines, so people with SCD may need opioids to provide
relief.
Myth #5: Sickle cell
trait is a mild or early form of sickle cell disease
Fact: Sickle cell
trait is different from SCD. A person with sickle cell trait inherits only 1
abnormal hemoglobin gene, while a person with SCD inherits 2 abnormal
hemoglobin genes.
Myth #6: There is no
cure for sickle cell disorder
Fact: There is a
cure and the only cure so far to sickle cell disorder which is bone marrow transplant
also known as a stem cell transplant. It involves replacing damaged cells in
the body with healthy ones.
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