Theme: Building and strengthening Global Sickle Cell Communities, Formalizing New-born Screening and Knowing your Sickle Cell Disease Status”.
What is Sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is a common inherited blood disorder in Nigeria
Who is at risk?
It is a disorder that is inherited when an AS/AC mother marries an AS/ AC father.
Any individual who has Sickle cell disease, the haemoglobin is abnormal which causes the red blood cells to become sticky and become sickled.
What is the primary impacts of this illness?
The sickled cells die earlier than the normal red cells which causes a shortage of blood in the body. They, therefore, require regular blood transfusions.
What are its complications?
Sickle cell disease can result in Chronic leg ulcers, bone pains, joint deformities, blindness and kidney failure.
How can it be prevented?
Intending couples should have their blood screened for haemoglobin phenotype at a reputable hospital prior to marriage.
Tests like Haemoglobin electrophoresis, and high-performance liquid chromatography prior to marriage will help reduce the incidence of the disease.
