HEALTHY TIPS FOR ALL

Sickle cell anemia has its origin from the molecular level as a result of a single base mutation in the gene that code for hemoglobin A. The DNA of the normal gene for the β globin chain is found to have the glutamic acid codon GAG at position 6. A single base change to GTG substitute the original glutamic acid for VALINE which gives hemoglobin S as is found in sickle cell. When HbS is deoxygenated it tends to “crystallize” in red blood cells, which contain 33% by weight hemoglobin. The crystallization (i.e gel formation) distorts the cells into a sickle shape and these distorted corpuscles are easily destroyed, leading to anemia. Stress is a strong factor that distroy sickle cell as oxygen consumption during this period tends to increase. SS children are advice to abstain from strenous activities.