PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -If both parents have SCT, there is a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that any child of theirs will have SCD. There is the same 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCD or SCT.

Detailed explanation-2: -The sickle cell anemia trait is found on a recessive allele of the hemoglobin gene. This means that you must have two copies of the recessive allele-one from your mother and one from your father-to have the condition. People who have one dominant and one recessive copy of the allele won’t have sickle cell anemia.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disease seen most often among people of African ancestry. Caused by mutations in one of the genes that encode the hemoglobin protein, the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The mutation causes the red blood cells to take on an unusual sickle shape.

Detailed explanation-4: -If both parents have sickle cell trait, there is a 25% (1 in 4) chance with EACH pregnancy that the baby will have sickle cell anemia. A child with sickle cell anemia appears normal at birth. However, later in infancy, anemia develops and the child tires easily. A second problem is attacks of pain called “crises”.

Detailed explanation-5: -If one parent has SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance • that the child will have SCT and an equal 50% chance that the child will not have SCT.