Why is Sickle cell anemia beneficial?

Only in some individuals do malaria episodes progress to severe life-threatening disease, while in the majority the episodes are self-limiting. This is partly because of host genetic factors such as the sickle cell gene. read more

While Sickle Cell Anemia has no benefit, sickle cell trait where a person inherits only one gene for hemoglobin S (sickling hemoglobin) and the other gene for normal hemoglobin has been shown to confer up to 60% protection against Malaria. read more

Hemoglobin SS, also called sickle cell anemia, is usually the most severe type of this disorder. Other common forms include: Hemoglobin SC (usually mild) Hemoglobin Sβ thalassemia; Rare types are: Hemoglobin SD; Hemoglobin SE; Hemoglobin SO; In the U.S., newborn screening programs require that all babies are tested for sickle cell disease shortly after birth. read more

Sickle cell disease; Synonyms: Sickle cell disorder: Figure (A) shows normal red blood cells flowing freely through veins. The inset shows a cross section of a normal red blood cell with normal haemoglobin. Figure (B) shows abnormal, sickled red blood cells sticking at the branching point in a vein. read more