Menu
20/10/2006
All babies to receive sickle cell screening
All babies in England are to undergo screening for sickle cell blood disorders within two weeks of birth.
The test, which will be part of the standard heel-prick test, will both identify individuals with the disorder as well as those who carry the gene for the disease but do not suffer from it.
Sickle cell disorders affect the body's ability to transport oxygen around the body. Red blood cells, which contain an oxygen-carrying protein called haemoglobin, are usually rounded, but in sickle cell disorders, the red blood cells take on an elongated shape, which makes it harder for them to travel through blood vessels and deliver oxygen to the body's tissues. Over time, organ damage can result.
While sickle cell disorder is most common in people of African and Caribbean descent, it can affect anyone. Around 13,000 people in England have the disorder, with another 240,000 people identified as carriers, and it is thought that early screening will help to identify around 300 babies a year, helping to prevent the risk of these infants developing serious complications.
It is also possible that screening could be extended to all pregnant women, with a blood test offered in early pregnancy to check for sickle cell disorders. If a woman is found to be a carrier, then the father will also be offered testing – and at-risk couples will be offered a range of counselling and diagnostic services. If both parents are carriers, there is a one-in-four risk of their baby developing the disorder.
(CL)
The test, which will be part of the standard heel-prick test, will both identify individuals with the disorder as well as those who carry the gene for the disease but do not suffer from it.
Sickle cell disorders affect the body's ability to transport oxygen around the body. Red blood cells, which contain an oxygen-carrying protein called haemoglobin, are usually rounded, but in sickle cell disorders, the red blood cells take on an elongated shape, which makes it harder for them to travel through blood vessels and deliver oxygen to the body's tissues. Over time, organ damage can result.
While sickle cell disorder is most common in people of African and Caribbean descent, it can affect anyone. Around 13,000 people in England have the disorder, with another 240,000 people identified as carriers, and it is thought that early screening will help to identify around 300 babies a year, helping to prevent the risk of these infants developing serious complications.
It is also possible that screening could be extended to all pregnant women, with a blood test offered in early pregnancy to check for sickle cell disorders. If a woman is found to be a carrier, then the father will also be offered testing – and at-risk couples will be offered a range of counselling and diagnostic services. If both parents are carriers, there is a one-in-four risk of their baby developing the disorder.
(CL)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 July 2010
Skin Cancer Linked To Warts Infection
Suffering the virus that causes warts and verrucas can increase the risk of certain cancers. An international team of researchers has found that people with several types of the virus - human papillomaviruses (HPVs) - were more than one and a half times as likely to develop certain skin cancers compared to people with no HPVs.
Skin Cancer Linked To Warts Infection
Suffering the virus that causes warts and verrucas can increase the risk of certain cancers. An international team of researchers has found that people with several types of the virus - human papillomaviruses (HPVs) - were more than one and a half times as likely to develop certain skin cancers compared to people with no HPVs.
02 December 2005
Government pledges cash for stem cell research
The government has announced that an extra £50 million will be made available for UK stem cell research over the next two years. The announcement followed the publication of the UK Stem Cell Initiative report, which has recommended that that the government should invest at least £350 million in the research over the next decade.
Government pledges cash for stem cell research
The government has announced that an extra £50 million will be made available for UK stem cell research over the next two years. The announcement followed the publication of the UK Stem Cell Initiative report, which has recommended that that the government should invest at least £350 million in the research over the next decade.
25 November 2009
Charity Thief Jailed
The boss of a charity who ruthlessly stole thousands of pounds donated to help Sickle-Cell Anaemia sufferers has been jailed for 18 months.
Charity Thief Jailed
The boss of a charity who ruthlessly stole thousands of pounds donated to help Sickle-Cell Anaemia sufferers has been jailed for 18 months.
18 January 2012
Govt Launches Hydrogen Car Project
The Government has announced a project to ready the UK for hydrogen fuel vehicles starting in 2014.
Govt Launches Hydrogen Car Project
The Government has announced a project to ready the UK for hydrogen fuel vehicles starting in 2014.
19 October 2011
Ruling Could Stop Euro Stem Cell Research – Scientists
Stem-cell scientists in Europe are reeling from a ruling on Wednesday banning patents on stem cells obtained through the destruction of human embryos. The decision by the European Court of Justice means that no European patents will be given for research based on stem cells extracted from anything capable of developing into a human being.
Ruling Could Stop Euro Stem Cell Research – Scientists
Stem-cell scientists in Europe are reeling from a ruling on Wednesday banning patents on stem cells obtained through the destruction of human embryos. The decision by the European Court of Justice means that no European patents will be given for research based on stem cells extracted from anything capable of developing into a human being.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
