Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. It is a condition in which red blood cells are shaped like a sickle ( the letter C ). Red blood cells carry oxygen to different parts of the body. In a healthy person,  these cells are flexible and round . In a person with sickle-cell, they are stiff and this can block blood flow. This can cause infection, pain  and occasionally organ damage and a stroke. Sickle cell disease  may lead to anemia.
 

 

What causes sickle cell disease ?

 

Sickle cell disease is inherited which means it is passed on from parent to child through genes. You have to inherit the gene for sickle cell from both parents to have the disease. If you inherit the gene from just one parent, you have the trait. This means you have the gene change for sickle cell but you do not have sickle cell disease. You are therefore a carrier.  A carrier will never turn into the disease.  People with the sickle cell traits rarely show  may show symptoms of the disease but this is rare.

 

What is the effect of sickle cell disease on my pregnancy ?

 

You need to talk to your health care provider if you have sickle cell and are planning to get pregnant. You need to let him know all the medications you are taking. He may need to change your medication to ones that are  safe for your baby during pregnancy. He can also find safe ways to treat problems related to sickle cell and pregnancy such as pain episodes during pregnancy.

 

What is the risk of my baby having sickle cell ?

 

This depends on both you and your partner. If you both have sickle cell, your baby will have sickle cell.

 

If both of you have the trait , there is a

• 3-in-4 chance (75 percent) that your baby won’t have the disease
• 1-in-2 chance (50 percent) that your baby will have sickle cell trait
• 1-in-4 chance (25 percent) that your baby will have sickle cell
• 1-in-4 chance (25 percent) that your baby won’t have sickle cell or sickle cell trait

You can seek the help of a genetic counselor in understanding the chances of passing on the sickle cell trait or disease to your baby.

 

How do I know I have sickle cell disease ?

 

There are 2 tests that can be used to check for sickle cell. Both tests are safe to sue during pregnancy.

1. a blood test
2. a swab of cells inside the mouth

You can have your partner tested too.

 

Your chances of having the disease also increases if you fall in the following category :

• family history of sickle cell disease
• you are black or Hispanic
• your family’s ancestors are from  Africa, the Caribbean, Greece, India, Italy, Malta, Sardinia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or South or Central America

 

Can I find out if my baby has sickle cell trait or the disease during pregnancy ?

 

If you or your partner has sickle cell disease or the trait, there is  a prenatal test to find out if your baby has the disease or trait.

 

These are :

chorionic villus sampling ( CVS ) : This test checks for birth defects and genetic conditions. You can get CVS at 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

 

Amniocentesis : The test checks for  birth defects and genetic conditions. You can get this test at 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

 

Can sickle cell disease cause pregnancy complications ?

 

Pregnant women with sickle cell  can go on to have a healthy pregnancy if they have regular prenatal care. Pregnant women with this condition are more likely to have problems during pregnancy than those who do not have the disease. This health problems includes infections, pain episodes and vision problems.

 

Sickle cell may become more severe during pregnancy and may happen more often.

 

Sickle cell may also increase your risk for the following  :

• miscarriage
• premature birth
• low birth weight

 

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