{"id":19980,"date":"2026-02-24T12:04:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T11:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fondationpierrefabre.org\/faq-items\/quelle-est-la-cause-de-la-drepanocytose\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T18:24:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T16:24:25","slug":"what-causes-sickle-cell-disease","status":"publish","type":"avada_faq","link":"https:\/\/www.fondationpierrefabre.org\/en\/faq-items\/what-causes-sickle-cell-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes sickle cell disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What causes sickle cell disease?<\/h1>\n<\/div>
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How is sickle cell disease spread and diagnosed?<\/h2>\n

Sickle cell disease is not a contagious condition; it is inherited from parents and passed on to their children. A child must inherit one copy of the mutated gene from each parent to develop the most severe form of the disease. If the child inherits only one copy, they will be a carrier of the sickle cell trait, without developing the disease.<\/p>\n

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Sickle cell disease is usually diagnosed through a blood test that can identify the presence of haemoglobin S. More specific tests, such as haemoglobin electrophoresis, can also determine the specific type of sickle cell disease. Today, there are rapid and reliable diagnostic tests available to screen for sickle cell disease.<\/p>\n

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Learn more: When do the symptoms of sickle cell disease first appear?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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What is the risk of having a child with sickle cell disease? And what should be done if there is a risk?<\/h2>\n

As the condition is inherited, the risk depends on the genes carried by both parents. Couples at risk are either carriers of the trait or have sickle cell disease themselves.<\/p>\n

It is important for parents to know their haemoglobin? status so that they are aware of the risk of having a child with the condition.<\/p>\n