Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disease in France: 400 children are born there each year with this pathology.
Globally, it affects 400,000 births per year, 80% in low-income countries.
Also called sickle cell anemia, sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to deform: they can no longer perform their tasks and, poorly eliminated by the body, can clog small blood vessels, causing very intense pain and long-term complications.
Without treatment, children rarely reach adulthood.
In France, birth screening and improved care have increased life expectancy from 20 years in the 1980s to over 40 years today.
To discover
Covid-19: vaccination as the only remedy
Identify affected children
Since 1995, France has in fact implemented targeted neonatal screening, the methods of which evolve with epidemiological data.
The mutation responsible for this disease is found originally in India and sub-Saharan Africa,
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 63% left to discover.
Pushing back the limits of science is also freedom.
Continue reading your article for € 1 the first month
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Log in
