19/06/2025
🩸 *Understanding Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): A Preventable Burden*
Today 19th June, we join the Global community to commemorate World Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a serious inherited blood disorder that affects millions of people around the world—especially in Africa, including Nigeria. Sadly, it causes a lot of suffering, disability, and even death. But the good news is it can be prevented with awareness and responsible choices.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
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❓ *What is Sickle Cell Disease?*
Sickle Cell Disease affects the red blood cells, which are normally round and flexible, allowing them to move easily through blood vessels and carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
In someone with SCD, the red blood cells are abnormally shaped like a sickle or crescent moon. These sickle-shaped cells:
Get stuck in small blood vessels causing severe pain
Block blood flow causing damage to organs
Break down too early causing anemia
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🧬 *How Do You Get It?*
Sickle Cell Disease is inherited—which means it’s passed from parents to children through genes.
Every person has two copies of the hemoglobin gene: one from each parent.
If both parents carry the sickle cell trait (AS), then for every pregnancy, there’s a:
- 25% chance the child will have Sickle Cell Disease (SS)
- 50% chance the child will be a carrier (AS)
- 25% chance the child will be normal (AA)
👉 This is why knowing your genotype before marriage is so important.
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🩺 *Signs and Symptoms*
People with SCD often show symptoms from childhood. Some common ones include:
- Severe pain episodes (called crises)
- Anemia (low blood levels, causing tiredness and weakness)
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Frequent infections
- Delayed growth or puberty
- Vision problems
SCD can also damage organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain etc.
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⚠️ *Complications to Watch For*
Sickle Cell Disease can lead to serious problems like:
- Stroke
- Chronic bone damage
- Lung damage
- Kidney failure
- Frequent hospital admissions
- Early death
With proper care, many of these complications can be prevented or reduced.
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✅ *How is it Diagnosed?*
SCD can be diagnosed through a simple blood test, including:
- Genotype testing
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis
Ideally, every baby should be tested at birth (Newborn Screening), and adults should know their genotype before getting into serious relationship or marriage.
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🛡️ *Can Sickle Cell Be Cured?*
Currently, there is no universal cure, but treatments can help people live longer, healthier lives. Some available options include:
Folic acid supplements
Antibiotics and vaccines to prevent infections
Hydroxyurea (a medication that reduces pain crises)
Regular blood transfusions
Bone marrow transplant (a potential cure in select patients)
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❤️ *How Can It Be Prevented?*
The most effective way to prevent SCD is through awareness and genotype screening. Here’s what you can do:
1. Know Your Genotype
Before marriage, both partners should get tested. If both are AS or carry a variant, they need counseling.
2. Seek Genetic Counseling
Couples with incompatible genotypes can receive professional advice on their risks and options.
3. Community Education
Spread the word—many people still don’t know about SCD and how it’s passed on.
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👨👩👧 *A Word to Parents and Future Couples*
- Check the Genotype of all your children, and communicate it to them once they can comprehend the meaning.
- Before saying "I do," say "Let’s check our genotype."
- Love is important, but so is the health of your future children.
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🏥 *How We Can Help at Deen Hospital Isanlu*
- At Deen Hospital, we provide:
- Low-cost genotype screening
- Sickle cell counseling
- Patient education sessions
- Support for individuals living with SCD
- Comprehensive antenatal care
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📢 *Join the Campaign: "Know Your Genotype, Save a Generation"*
You can be a voice for change. Talk to your family, friends, and community. Encourage screening and responsible marital decisions. Together, we can reduce the burden of Sickle Cell Disease.
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📌 Visit us today at Deen Hospital, Offin-Isanlu, Yagba East LGA, Kogi State.
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🩺 Your Health is Our Concern and Priority, because We Love You. Thanks for your Patronage.
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