Introduction

The first description of the sickle cell disease was introduced to the world in 1910. ³In 1922, after the discovery of three more cases, the disease was named "sickle cell anemia." Although cell anemia affects mostly Africans it was not recorded in African literature until 1870, Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder which is usually inherited through generations; it is a genetic mutation of the allele for hemoglobin production. It cannot be "caught" and can only be inherited.  

This disease is an example of co-dominance inheritance. The allele for sickle cell anemia is Hb^S and for healthy red blood cells the allele is Hb^A. Both parents must be either carriers or affected by sickle cell anemia to have children that inherit the disease. A carrier of the sickle cell trait has both sickle shape red blood cells and healthy red blood cells.

 The allele for this disease leads red blood cells to become a sickle shaped red blood cell. These mutated red blood cells do not transport oxygen effectively since it is difficult for them to pass through the small blood vessels and capillaries. These conditions lead to blockages and tissue damage in the body.

Round are healthy red blood cells and C-shaped are sickle red blood cells. Image taken from http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a04/ue/h3/sickle-cell-anemia-treatments-800x800.jpg