If you have sickle cell trait, you have inherited the gene for sickle cell disease. Sickle cell trait does not turn into sickle cell disorder. If someone has sickle cell trait and his partner has sickle cell trait, they may produce a child with sickle cell anemia.

Lung tissue damage, pain episodes, and stroke. The blockage of blood flow caused by sickled cells also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys, and liver.

No. It is also present in Portuguese, Spanish, French Corsicans, Sardinians, Sicilians, mainland Italians, Greeks, Turks, and Cypriots. Sickle cell disease also appears in Middle Eastern countries and Asia.

There is no universal cure for sickle cell disorder. Research in gene therapy, the ultimate universal cure, is currently underway. A relatively small number of patients with severe sickle cell disorder have been cured through stem cell transplants.

The stem cells (immature cells that develop into blood cells) come from bone marrow, or less frequently, from umbilical cord blood, usually donated by siblings who are a good genetic match. Most children with sickle cell disorder, however, do not have siblings who are good genetic matches. For this reason, researchers have recently begun performing stem cell transplants using umbilical cord blood from unrelated donors with apparent success.

The use of hydroxyurea has shown promising results in some adult sickle cell patients. It reduces the frequency of severe pain, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusions.

Sickle cell disease is a global health problem. In Nigeria, one in every four persons is a carrier of the sickle cell gene. It is estimated that over 150,000 babies are born with symptomatic sickle cell anemia each year in the country.

Yes. But like all patients with chronic diseases, sickle cell patients are best managed in a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program of care and a strong extended support system.

No. Sickle cell disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through contact with affected persons. It is an inherited condition.

Symptoms of sickle cell disease include episodes of pain, swelling in the hands and feet, frequent infections, and anemia. Some patients may also experience delayed growth, vision problems, and other complications.

A blood test called hemoglobin electrophoresis can determine whether you have sickle cell trait or disease. It is recommended that people of childbearing age get tested so that they are aware of their sickle cell status before starting a family.

Yes. However, women with sickle cell disease are at increased risk of complications that can affect their health and that of their babies. During pregnancy, the disease may become more severe and pain episodes may occur more frequently. A pregnant woman with sickle cell disease is at increased risk of preterm and of having a low-birthweight baby. However, with early prenatal care and careful monitoring throughout pregnancy, women with sickle cell disease can have a healthy pregnancy. If the baby’s father has sickle cell trait, the baby has a 50 percent chance of having the disease. If he does not, the baby will have only the trait.

Yes. A person can have a blood test to find out if he has either sickle cell trait or a form of the disorder. There also are prenatal tests to find out if the baby will have the disorder or not. This procedure is available at our centre.

Yes, about 10% of children between the ages 2 to 16 years are at risk of stroke, but it is possible to determine the risk through a scan called Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD). This scan can be done at our centre.

Yes, it is possible and this is called Newborn Screening. It is hoped that the Federal Ministry of Health follows through with its plan for the establishment of Newborn Screening as a national programme.