Sickle Cell Disease: Prevention
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Prevention
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder and isn't preventable. However, a couple may meet with a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant to learn more about their chances of having a child with sickle cell disease. People whose ancestors were from Africa, India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean (Turkey, Italy, Greece), and some Latin American countries are more likely to inherit the gene that can cause sickle cell disease. In the United States, the disease mainly affects African Americans (1 in 650) and Latin Americans (1 in 1,000 to 1,400).8
| Last updated: | January 19, 2007 |
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Martin Steinberg, MD - Hematology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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