What causes SCD?
A gene mutation is the cause of sickle cell disease.
In order for a diagnosis to be made, you would need to have inherited the condition from both your mother and father.
Otherwise, if you only inherit the faulty gene from one parent, you are known as a sickle cell carrier.
Sickle cell carriers will have some abnormal cells in their bloodstream, but there will be enough healthy haemoglobin to eradicate symptoms of the condition.