What AS Genotype Couples Need To Know Before Having Children
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Background
Sickle Cell Disease is a serious medical condition that occurs when an individual inherits 2 sickle ‘S’ genes from each parent.
A person with SS genotype suffers with significant ill health from childhood. If the condition does not receive proper attention, it can lead to very severe health complications. Poor quality of life and death are also potential outcomes.
This is sometimes the outcome in countries with poor resources (low and medium-income countries) like Nigeria.
Nigeria has the greatest Sickle Cell Disease burden in Sub Saharan Africa.
A 2012 study in Benin, Nigeria indicated the prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease to be between 2 – 3%.
According to recent population estimates, up to 5-6 million people are living with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria.
A couple who both have the AS genotype may have children together. However, they need to be aware of the implications of doing so.
In any one of their pregnancies, there is a 25% chance the child will inherit both S genes, and have the SS genotype.
The Challenge
Perhaps you have the AS genotype and have wondered whether you could have a sexual relationship or marriage leading to children with a partner who also has the AS genotype.
Possibly, you are already in this type of relationship and have heard a lot about people with SCD but are feeling conflicted and unsure of what to do.
Or perhaps you just need a clear outline of facts, implications, challenges and options when people who have the AS genotype decide to have children together.
Well then, this short video is for you.
Video
Watch to learn some of the points we think would help AS genotype couples make the decision.
Share in the comments if there are any other areas AS genotype couples will deal with in this delicate but significant question.
Learn more about research on Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria – here.
More Reading
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
To discuss your condition, please contact a health practitioner or reach us directly through response@askawayhealth.org
Related posts:
Understanding Sickle Cell Anaemia Treatments in 2020 
Should People with AS Genotype Marry? 
Prenatal Testing in Sickle Cell Disease. 
Are You Missing These Options for Treating Haemoglobin SC Disease Powered by YARPP.
[…] inheriting one abnormal S gene confers the carrier state – AS genotype – if there are no other abnormal haemoglobin […]
[…] There may be options, but the choice can be difficult depending on one’s attitudes, beliefs, culture or financial means. […]
I get married immiedetely when I finish my secondary School education. My husband took me to college of health, I finish my HND program . when I was in HND. We carry a course call control of non communicable disease . We want together and roll a test we finely find out that we are caring themsame genotype Wich is As and As genotype with themsame blood group o+ and we want to start having a child please can someone help me we out. Thanks
Hauwa, thanks for reaching out.
Perhaps you can be more specific about the type of help you need. On the site, there is a lot of information about the issues around AS genotype couples.
Every pregnancy carries a 25% risk of the child having the SS genotype, please realise this. This can happen in the first or last pregnancy, or some may not have the SS gene.
Hence you need to discuss this very strong risk with your husband and seek genetic counselling before you start having children.
Here are the articles suggested:
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in Sickle Cell Disease.
What AS genotype couples need to know before having children together.
AS Genotype – 7 point Checklist
Thank you.