Sickle Cell: Why Genotype Testing and Genetic Counselling Matter

Sickle cell disease can cause severe pain, repeated hospital visits and emotional strain for affected people and their families. I recently attended the burial of a 19-year-old who lived with the condition, and the experience was deeply painful. His family discovered too late that both parents were sickle cell trait carriers (AS). Their experience shows why genotype testing, accurate information and genetic counselling are important before marriage or having children. If both partners are AS, each pregnancy has a 25% chance of producing a child with sickle cell disease (SS). Couples should speak with qualified health professionals to understand their options. People living with sickle cell disease also deserve compassion, support and access to proper care.

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