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This disease is inherited from parents who both have the sickle cell trait. This is the only way that a child can be born with this malady. Sickle cell anemia prevention must begin at the birth of the prospective parents. Blood tests at birth checking for this disease are mandated by virtually every state legal system in America.
The risk of having a child who has this disease occurs when both parents have one copy of the cellular trait in their blood. There is a twenty five percent chance of both parents passing the gene to their off spring if they decide to have a child. Many people do not feel comfortable with these odds in view of the consequences that may face any child they have. There are other options available for consideration when couples decide to make this decision.
One method is called preimplantation genetic diagnosis. In this situation the eggs of a woman are harvested and fertilized by her mates sperm. The fertilized eggs are then tested for the disease and if found discarded. Only eggs that do not show the recessive gene are ultimately implanted in the uterus. This procedure is costly and is not always successful.
In the first two months of pregnancy another method of detection can be accomplished by tests done on the baby in the womb. Some parents who receive a positive result from this test choose to terminate the pregnancy. The test itself does not harm the child or cause discomfort for the mother.
A small sample of blood taken by your doctor will tell you if there is a danger of passing the disease to your off spring. Genetic counseling is a very good option for anyone who may be a carrier of the hemoglobin S trait. It is good to remember that the trait must be passed to the baby by both parents for the disease to be created.
All states test new born babies for this problem before they leave the hospital. The child usually does not suffer any issues until the third or fourth month it is alive. At this point the doctor will start a regime of weekly penicillin shots to protect him from getting infections. Pneumonia is a common ailment because of a weakened state of their immune system. These shots should continue until they are five or six years of age.
Transfusions are often given as a means of replacing the unaffected red cells in the blood. Supplemental oxygen is also recommended as treatment. As an adult the drug hydroxyurea can be helpful for increasing hemoglobin in red blood cells and decrease the more painful episodes. This disease affects every organ of the body and can result in multiple strokes and episodes of excruciating pain. The symptomatic episodes can last for extended periods up to thirty days.
The only known cure is through bone marrow transplant. This process is risky and has a very low success rate. Progress is being made to improve the quality of life for victims of this debilitating disease and the life span has been extended by decades when treated correctly. Although prevention is always the best option treatment is a viable choice.
The risk of having a child who has this disease occurs when both parents have one copy of the cellular trait in their blood. There is a twenty five percent chance of both parents passing the gene to their off spring if they decide to have a child. Many people do not feel comfortable with these odds in view of the consequences that may face any child they have. There are other options available for consideration when couples decide to make this decision.
One method is called preimplantation genetic diagnosis. In this situation the eggs of a woman are harvested and fertilized by her mates sperm. The fertilized eggs are then tested for the disease and if found discarded. Only eggs that do not show the recessive gene are ultimately implanted in the uterus. This procedure is costly and is not always successful.
In the first two months of pregnancy another method of detection can be accomplished by tests done on the baby in the womb. Some parents who receive a positive result from this test choose to terminate the pregnancy. The test itself does not harm the child or cause discomfort for the mother.
A small sample of blood taken by your doctor will tell you if there is a danger of passing the disease to your off spring. Genetic counseling is a very good option for anyone who may be a carrier of the hemoglobin S trait. It is good to remember that the trait must be passed to the baby by both parents for the disease to be created.
All states test new born babies for this problem before they leave the hospital. The child usually does not suffer any issues until the third or fourth month it is alive. At this point the doctor will start a regime of weekly penicillin shots to protect him from getting infections. Pneumonia is a common ailment because of a weakened state of their immune system. These shots should continue until they are five or six years of age.
Transfusions are often given as a means of replacing the unaffected red cells in the blood. Supplemental oxygen is also recommended as treatment. As an adult the drug hydroxyurea can be helpful for increasing hemoglobin in red blood cells and decrease the more painful episodes. This disease affects every organ of the body and can result in multiple strokes and episodes of excruciating pain. The symptomatic episodes can last for extended periods up to thirty days.
The only known cure is through bone marrow transplant. This process is risky and has a very low success rate. Progress is being made to improve the quality of life for victims of this debilitating disease and the life span has been extended by decades when treated correctly. Although prevention is always the best option treatment is a viable choice.
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