WORLD SICKLE CELL AWARENESS DAY (19/6/24)

DON'T WAIT UNTIL MARRIAGE TO CHECK YOUR GENOTYPE 

Do you know your Genotype?

What is your Genotype??

Most people only discover their genotype when they are about to get married, but l feel it should be done earlier.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENOTYPE AND SICKLE CELL DISEASE 

You have sickle cell disease when your Genotype is 'SS'

DIFFERENT GENOTYPE 

AA

AS

SS

WHO CAN MARRY WHO

AA + AA= GOOD 

AA+ AS= GOOD 

AS+ AS= BAD

AS+ SS= VERY BAD

SS+ SS= NEVER 

WHAT CAUSES SICKLE CELL DISEASE 

Sickle cell disease is a condition caused by a defect in a gene.

A person will be born with sickle cell disease if two gene is inherited. One from the mother and one from the father.

A person who inherit one gene is healthy and is known as a carrier of the disease.

A carrier has an increased chance of having a sickle cell child if he or she have a child with another carrier.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON GENOTYPE 

Apart from people with SS Genotype, the other persons with AA or AS genotype can live a normal life without any issues relating to Genotype.

It only becomes a problem when a person with AS Genotype decides to marry someone with As Genotype.

The risk here is, there is a chance of birthing a sickle cell child.

CONCLUSION 

We have a lot of medical conditions already, so we can avoid the mistake of getting married when we don't have compatible Genotype, it will go a long way in preventing incidence of sickle cell Disease.

Don't suffer the next generation!

Be wise and do the right thing!

If you refuse to adhere to the above warning, you may have to spend most part of your life in the hospital with your child!

'To Be forewarned is to Be forearmed'

FOOTNOTE ✍️

I am advocating that  part of the things to ask when you start dating should be Genotype.

I mean like, one of the hook up line should be " Hi Babe/Boo what is your Genotype"🤦🏻‍♀️

✍️By Prisca Ojiobianu 

#sweetmotherhood#