About Sickle Cell Anemia and Risks
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition, and it affects millions of people worldwide.
The main difference between normal and sickle cell blood is that normal red blood cells are smooth, round like, and move easily through blood vessels. Sickle cells are “C” shaped cells, and therefore don’t move easily because they tend to form clumps and get stuck.
As a result, the sickle cell clumps block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs, causing excruciating pain.
Those who are descendants of Africa, South or Central America, Caribbean islands, Mediterranean countries, India, and Saudi Arabia are at the highest risk.
In the United States, sickle cell anemia affects about 70,000 people, mainly African Americans.
In addition, about 2 million Americans have the sickle cell trait, with approximately 1 in 12 carrying the gene. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis procedure improves the chances that two people carrying the trait will have a child with normal red blood cells.
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