Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos, and Clinical Heamatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Professor Michael Kehinde, says that parents who did not check their genotype compatibility, and whose children are found to have sickle cell disease are to be blamed.
During his inaugural lecture on “Human Unique Blood Cells and Consequences” in UNILAG, he noted that the many cases of sickle cell disease reported in Nigeria means it should be considered an epidemic. This is rightly so, as the World Health Organisation(WHO) has reported that the largest population of people with sickle cell disease in the world are found in Nigeria. It is estimated that about 2% of newborns in Nigeria are affected by sickle cell anaemia, bringing the total to about 150000 affected children annually. Sickle cell disease alone contributes to 8% of infant mortality per year.
The figures are quite staggering, for a situation that could be easily avoided or prevented. “People should know their genotype long before they get married and not just before or after marriage”, says Prof. Kehinde. “Once they are about to settle down, there is little that they can be told again to change their perception. They will run away from you and settle down somewhere else.”
Indeed, it’s important for people to know their genotype status from an early age, so they can make informed decisions while dating with regards to health compatibility. When it comes to Sickle cell disease, prevention is the best option, as this disease can only be inherited.
Living with sickle cell disease is a very painful condition. Episodes of sickle cell crisis can lead to blocked blood vessels which cause severe pains in the bones and other parts of the body; damage of organs by the defective red blood cells; constant tiredness, jaundice and shortness of breaths, infections, pulmonary hypertension, acute chest syndrome, infections, and other ailments.
Though the chances of survival are slim; some people have been able to live above the age of 30 with increased medical care. The numbers can go up if adequate funds are made available for further research.
Culled from Vanguard
