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Screening for Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Disorders
This is designed to help future and expectant parents understand the importance of knowing
if they carry Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia.
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What are Sickle Cell Disorders & Thalassaemia Major?
What are Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Carriers (Trait)?
Does it affect me?
How do you get Sickle Cell Disorders & Thalassaemia Major?
Nobody in my family has Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia, why should I have a blood test?
How do I find out if I am a carrier?
Does my doctor recommend testing?
What will happen once I have had my blood test?
If I am pregnant will my baby be tested?
Do you suggest partner and family testing?
Who can I contact for further information?
What are Sickle Cell Disorders & Thalassaemia Major?
They are both inherited conditions of the blood, which affect haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying substance which gives blood its red colour.
Children with Sickle Cell Disorder can have attacks of severe pain (crisis) or sudden life-threatening infections.
Children with Thalassaemia Major are severely anaemic and need blood transfusions every four weeks and regular injections for life.
What are Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Carriers (Trait)?
Both Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia disorders exist in two forms; one is the disorder form and the other is the carrier form (trait). People who are carriers are usually healthy people.
Does it affect me?
People who are of African, Caribbean, Asian, Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean origins are most 'at risk' of Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia.
About 1 in 4 Africans and 1 in 8 African-Caribbeans carry Sickle Cell trait. The incidence of Thalassaemia trait also varies from 1 in 7 to 1 in 30 people who originate from Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.
Caucasian people can also be affected, but this is less common.
How do you get Sickle Cell Disorders & Thalassaemia Major?
If both parents are healthy carriers (trait), there is a 1 in 4 chance (25%) that in each pregnancy the child will have Sickle Cell disorder or Thalassaemia Major.
Nobody in my family has Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia, why should I have a blood test?
Your parents or relatives may be healthy carriers, as this does not affect their health and well being they may be unaware of their carrier status.
How do I find out if I am a carrier?
Your GP can arrange a simple blood test for you free of charge.
Does my doctor recommend testing?
Yes, especially if you are thinking of having a baby or if you are already pregnant.
What will happen once I have had my blood test?
On receiving your results via the Haematology Laboratory, the Project will contact you with relevant information or you will be sent a haemoglobinopathy card. We suggest you carry this card with you to avoid unnecessary testing for Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia.
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project also provides genetic counselling which enables individuals the opportunity to discuss their results and any implications it may have on the family.
If I am pregnant will my baby be tested?
Your midwife will advise you that a sample of cord blood will be taken during the delivery for testing. The Project will contact you soon after to invite you in for counselling.
Do you suggest partner and family testing?
Yes, if you are planning to have a baby it is advisable that your partner is tested to determine whether your partner is a carrier or not.
If you are a carrier there is a chance that your brothers and sisters may be carriers as well.
Who can I contact for further information?
Haematology Department
New Cross Hospital
Wolverhampton
WV10 0QP
Telephone:
(01902) 643088
Bilston Health Centre
Prouds Lane
Bilston
West Midlands
WV14 6PW
Telephone: (01902) 444076
Fax: 01902 444077
Opening hours
9.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday
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