Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect…

Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect the red blood cells. The most serious type is called sickle cell anaemia. Sickle cell disease is more common in people with an African or Caribbean family background. People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause problems because they do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels. . It is a serious and lifelong health condition, although treatment can help manage many of the symptoms. Sickle cell disease occurs when both parents are carriers of the trait. Having sickle cell trait just means you carry the gene responsible for the disease but do not have the full blown condition. . Similar to other inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis, BOTH parents have to be carriers or have the full disease for there to be a chance in having a baby with the disease. . If both parents are carriers, there is a 1 in 4 chance of having a baby will sickle cell disease, 2 in 4 (50%) of having a child who also carries the trait and 1 in 4 chance of having an unaffected child. . When you are pregnant, blood screening can be done to see if you are a carrier and if so, your partner will usually be offered a test also.

To find out more about sickle cell you can visit www.sicklecellsociety.org