New Delhi, June 19 -- Sickle cell disease is one of the most under-recognised yet fatal inherited diseases. It affects thousands of families in India, yet it is often overlooked when people think about inherited diseases. One reason for this is the number of misconceptions surrounding the disease. These myths do more than create mere confusion. They are responsible for the delayed diagnosis and treatment of thousands of people.

What are the early signs of sickle cell disease?

One of the most common assumptions is that sickle cell disease would be evident at birth. In reality, many children appear healthy during the first few months of life, and symptoms emerge gradually, in varied forms. Common symptoms in children include fatigue, freq...