Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia
People with sickle cell anemia inherit two genes, one from each parent, that are variant (different from normal). The variant genes are call sickle cell genes.
The sickle cell genes tell the body to make the variant hemoglobin (hee-muh-glow-bin) that results in deformed red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
Children who inherit sickle cell genes from both parents will have sickle cell anemia. Children who inherit the sickle cell gene from only one parent will not have the disease. They will have sickle cell trait. Persons with sickle cell trait:
Generally have no symptoms
Live normal lives
Can pass the sickle cell gene on to their children.
When two people with sickle cell trait have a baby, there is a:
One in four chance (25 percent) the baby will inherit two sickle cell genes and have the disease.
One in four chance (25 percent) the baby will inherit two normal genes and not have the disease or trait.
Two in four chance (50 percent) the baby will inherit one normal gene and one sickle cell gene. The baby will not have the disease, but will have sickle cell trait like the parents.
Content Courtesy : www.nhlbi.nih.gov
^{Note : Information herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any course of supplementation or treatment.}