Genotype is the sum total of genes transmitted from parents to offspring, it is the entire genetic constitution of an individual.
The genotype of a child should be checked at pregnancy stage or immediately after birth to know the child’s status.
It is important to know your genotype before getting married because it can affect you or your offspring if you and your partner are not compatible genetically.
The effects of not checking your genotype compatibility can result to:
1. Sickle cell patients experiencing severe pains in the body parts that lack oxygen flow because their bone marrow will fail to produce red blood cells and this can result to anaemia.
2. Taking care of a child who is a sickle cell patients can be a trauma and very demanding for couples who are financially incapacitated.
3. Children may still die from a crisis or complications that may arise later on.
4. Giving birth to a sickle cell patient will be a restriction on the part of the person in choosing a life partner.
5. It determines the donor and recipient of blood transfusion, carrier may not be able to donate blood when there is need for it.
See possible outcome of genetic combination
- AA+AA= AA AA AA AA
- AA+AS = AA AS AA AS
- AA+SS= AS AS AS AS
- AA+AC= AA AA AA AC
- AS+AS= AA AS AS SS
- AS+AC= AA AC AS SS
- SS+SS= SS SS SS SS
- AC+SS= AS AS SS SS
- AC+AC= AA AC AC SS
Any combination of AS and AC can be very risky, because there is a possibility that they two will give birth to a carrier or sickle cell patient.
