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Causes of Sickle-cell anaemia

Sickle- cell disease is a genetic condition, where the gene for haemoblobin mutates, causing the sickling of cells. If an individual inherits the mutation in both genes they will have sickle-cell disease.

A person who inherits the mutation in one gene only is said to have 'Sickle cell trait' and in general suffer no ill effects. However if they get abnormally short of oxygen for any reason, such as ascending to high altitudes in mountain climbing, or in ballooning, they might suffer episodes in which small blood vessels become blocked.

Also, it is important that people with Sickle cell trait should receive high levels of oxygen during general anaesthetics. About 25 per cent of African people carry the mutant gene, but the great majority of these only have Sickle cell trait.

Sickling disorders also occur throughout the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and parts of India. It does not occur in South-East Asia.

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