Sickle Cell Disease: Fighting A Global War

Examine the efforts being made worldwide to control and eradicate sickle cell disease by 2047.

- DR VIKAS DUA

O Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that disrupts the function of the hemoglobin molecule in red blood cells and continues to pose a significant health challenge worldwide. Haemoglobin, responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to different body parts, mutates in individuals with sickle cell disease, leading to abnormal hemoglobin, known as hemoglobin S (HbS). The consequences are rigid, crescent-shaped red blood cells that impair blood flow and trigger various complications.

Managing sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease entails a range of complications, including anemia, recurrent pain crises, organ damage, increased susceptibility to infections, and an elevated risk of stroke, especially among children. This complex genetic disorder follows an autosomal recessive pattern, necessitating the inheritance of two mutated genes - one from each parent - for the condition to manifest fully.

Those with a single mutated gene and one normal gene exhibit milder symptoms, called sickle cell trait. Genetic counseling is crucial in managing sickle cell disease, particularly for families with a history. It empowers families to make informed decisions about family planning and understand the risks of passing the infection to their children.