Yesterday, I had a sad experience. A woman walked into the medical laboratory where I assist and requested genotype testing for her baby.
After collection of sample from the baby, I noticed the woman was visibly agitated. She would not sit down even after entreaties to do so. She kept on asking ; how far? and was near to tears. On giving her the result; she broke down in tears; the Child had now been confirmed Sickle Cell dominant SS.
I kept on wondering; did she know about the possibility of her transferring her Sickle cell trait if she married another Sickle cell carrier? Or health education efforts in that direction did not reach her before marriage?