“Doctor, help me! Doctor, my child is sick again! Malaria and typhoid have definitely come back!”
These were the words of a concerned mother who rushed her 5-year-old into the clinic a few months ago.
As part of my due diligence as a doctor, I insisted on a genotype test for the child. Surprisingly, the parents—both in their early 30s—were not even aware of their own genotype.
And voilà , the genotype test result came back as HbSS. The child had sickle cell anemia.
Sickle cell anemia is a common, lifelong genetic disease in Africa. It occurs when a person is born with abnormally shaped red blood cells—sickle-shaped—due to a genetic mutation affecting how these cells form.
It can present with symptoms such as:
*Severe bone pain
*Recurrent yellowing of the eyes
*Growth failure (appearing smaller than their peers)
*Frequent illnesses (due to weak immunity)
*Swelling in the hands and feet (especially in babies)
*Chronic wounds that heal poorly
Sickle cell disease can affect every organ in the body—from the brain and lungs to the bones and kidneys.
But sickle cell patients can live a normal life.
How can they cope with the disease?
*Stay hydrated: Drink 2–3 liters of water daily
*Eat nutritious meals: Up to five times a day
*Take routine medications as prescribed by a hematologist (blood specialist)
*Attend regular follow-up appointments at the hospital
*Visit the hospital promptly when feeling unwell
Please, know your genotype before marriage—to prevent heart breaking stories like this.
Happy World Sickle Cell Day!
