Sickle Cell Disease/Disorder (SCD) is the world’s most common (mono)genetic disorder. The genetic carrier state (called sickle cell trait) provides partial protection against early death from plasmodium falciparum malaria in early infancy. The sickle cell gene is more widespread in areas of the world that either are or once were malarial. In England SCD mainly affects those of Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent.
People living with SCD experience a wide range of sever symptoms that are variable both between different people living with SCD and within the same person living with SCD over time.