An official of Sickle Cell Foundation, Dr Ajibola Sanda, on Friday said early detection of sickle cell disorder would aid effective management of the condition.
Sanda, who is the foundation’s Director of Clinical Services, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, sickle cell trait is the gene responsible for Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD), which a child might inherit from both parents that have it.
He said that people with sickle cell trait do not normally show symptoms and were often unaware of the condition if they have not been tested.
Sanda said that the best management of the disorder was when the diagnosis was carried out at early stage.
“Early detection is very important in the management of a child with the disorder, because it has been found that people who tested early for sickle cell are better prepared.
“Parents who know early that their children have SCD, should quickly begin a regime of drugs, adapt their lifestyles and get the Pneumococcal vaccine,” Sanda said.
He said that Pneumococcal vaccine would be administered to a person with SCD any time after diagnosis.
The official said that knowledge of the disease and its impending risks could prepare a family for the challenges ahead.
“Such a family can prevent illness by developing a meal plan that aids health, sleeping under mosquito nets and by taking steps to prevent dehydration,” he said.
