A 40-year-old member asked:
Is sickle cell disease genetic?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Yes: The recessive sickle gene is carried silently in a percentage of the population.When two carriers produce offspring their is 25% risk with each conception that an affected baby will be born.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 33-year-old member asked:
How does a genetic mutation cause sickle-cell disease?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
31 years experience
Important gene...: Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. In sickle cell anemia, the abnormal hemoglobin causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky and misshapen. These abnormal red blood cells lead to the various symptoms of the disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Could you describe what the genetic basis of sickle cell anaemia is?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
No: True sickle cell disease requires a recessive gene contribution from both parents. These parents are asymptomatic carriers and may not know they have the gene.At conception the sperm carries one s gene that joins with the mothers s gene, so the pair both have the ss information as will every cell in the body.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 3, 2015
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