2023-06-12 13:00:00
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disease in the world and France is no exception to the scourge. Indeed, in ten years, the number of cases has increased more than 50% in the territory.
Sickle cell disease: a chronic blood disease
Today, the infection affects just over 400 births each year and widespread screening is now being tested, according to the High Authority for Health.
Sickle cell disease is a serious genetic blood disease that affects the hemoglobin of red blood cells. “It is characterized by an abnormality of hemoglobin, the main protein of the red blood cell. Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and participates in the elimination of carbon dioxide. In sickle cell disease, the abnormal shape adopted by this protein causes deformations of the red blood cells which become fragile and rigid.”, indicates theInserm.
The disease is manifested in particular by anemia, painful crises and an increased risk of infections. A seizure can be triggered by several factors: altitude; the dehydration; intense stress or even a sudden change in temperature, details theHealth Insurance.
Currently, sickle cell disease can’t be cured and the only treatments available only serve to reduce or prevent the pain caused by this disease. The only curative treatment available is bone marrow transplantation.
Sickle cell disease: a still little-known disease
Appeared in Africa and India, it has since become very present in America, especially in the West Indies and Brazil, as well as in Western Europe due to population movements.
One week before the world day of this pathology, set for June 19, doctors and association leaders are calling for more awareness-raising campaigns and screenings to reduce its spread: “Far too many people are unaware of this disease. It is urgent that everyone be made aware of it because it can affect everyone, it is not just a black disease”testifies for France24Pauline Mbaku of the French association To hope to live and mother of a teenager with this disease.
Today, the only way to prevent a couple from having a child with sickle cell disease is to test both parents to verify that they are not healthy carriers of the disease.
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