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.
Some choose in-vitro fertilization as a safer way of conception. After the eggs are harvested and fertilized they can be tested to see if they contain the disease. Only the eggs that are free of it are kept and implanted into the uterus. This preimplantation genetic testing is very expensive and unfortunately not a sure thing.
They may also choose to have tests done in the second month of pregnancy to check for the disease. This embryonic testing does no harm to the fetus and can be accomplished easily by the doctor. If a positive result is found it can influence the parents decision regarding continuation of the pregnancy.
If you do not know or fear that your family may have a history of this blood disease you can find out by having a sample tested by your doctor. If you test positive for the hemoglobin S cells it is important to have the same test for your spouse. Two positive tests put your family plans in jeopardy.
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.
Some choose in-vitro fertilization as a safer way of conception. After the eggs are harvested and fertilized they can be tested to see if they contain the disease. Only the eggs that are free of it are kept and implanted into the uterus. This preimplantation genetic testing is very expensive and unfortunately not a sure thing.
They may also choose to have tests done in the second month of pregnancy to check for the disease. This embryonic testing does no harm to the fetus and can be accomplished easily by the doctor. If a positive result is found it can influence the parents decision regarding continuation of the pregnancy.
If you do not know or fear that your family may have a history of this blood disease you can find out by having a sample tested by your doctor. If you test positive for the hemoglobin S cells it is important to have the same test for your spouse. Two positive tests put your family plans in jeopardy.
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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