Mendelian Genetic Inheritance for SCD
Sickle Cell Disease is an autosomal recessive condition. A child inherits one hemoglobin gene from each parent.
| Parent 1 Genotype | Parent 2 Genotype | AA (Normal) % | AS (Trait) % | SS (Disease) % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA | AA | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| AA | AS | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| AA | SS | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| AS | AS | 25% | 50% | 25% |
| AS | SS | 0% | 50% | 50% |
| SS | SS | 0% | 0% | 100% |
Key Medical Definitions & FAQ
- Genotype AA: Normal hemoglobin. Healthy non-carrier.
- Genotype AS: Sickle Cell Trait. Generally asymptomatic carrier.
- Genotype SS: Sickle Cell Disease (Anemia). Symptomatic condition requiring management.
How is SCD inherited?
SCD is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. If both parents are carriers (AS), each pregnancy has a 25% risk of SCD.
Can SCD be cured?
Current curative options include bone marrow transplants and emerging gene therapies, though these are complex procedures.
What are common SCD symptoms?
Pain crises (vaso-occlusive crises), fatigue from anemia, swelling of hands/feet, and frequent infections are common.