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Can AS and AC Marry Each Other?
mascothealthcare

Can AS and AC Marry? What Every Couple Must Know Before Saying “I Do”

Sickle cell disease remains a major health challenge in Nigeria. Many couples preparing for marriage ask:

Can someone with AS genotype marry someone with AC genotype?

The medically honest answer is:

  • If your goal is zero risk of sickle cell disease, then AS and AC is not advisable.

Let’s explain why clearly.

Understanding AS and AC Genotypes

  • AS – Sickle cell trait (carrier)
  • AC – Hemoglobin C trait (carrier)

Both individuals are usually healthy and may never have symptoms. However, when two carriers marry, the risk affects their children.

What Happens When AS Marries AC?

For every pregnancy, there is:

  • 25% chance of AA (normal)
  • 25% chance of AS (carrier)
  • 25% chance of AC (carrier)
  • 25% chance of SC (Sickle Cell Disease – Hemoglobin SC type)

This means there is a 1 in 4 chance that the child will have Hemoglobin SC disease, which is a form of sickle cell disease.

Is SC Really a Problem?

Yes.

Although some cases of SC may appear milder than SS, it is still a lifelong condition that can cause:

  • Pain crises
  • Frequent hospital visits
  • Anemia
  • Increased infection risk
  • Eye complications
  • Bone and joint problems
  • Emotional and financial strain

It is not something to take lightly.

If You Want Zero Risk of Sickle Cell Disease

If your priority is to completely eliminate the possibility of giving birth to a child with sickle cell disease, then:

AS and AC is not an advisable combination.

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The only way to have zero risk is for at least one partner to have AA genotype.

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Safer combinations include:

  • AA + AS
  • AA + AC
  • AA + AA

Why This Matters in Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the highest sickle cell burdens in the world. Many families are already overwhelmed by:

  • The cost of care
  • Repeated hospital admissions
  • Emotional stress
  • Loss of productivity

Preventing sickle cell disease is far easier than managing it for a lifetime.

Premarital genotype testing is not just a formality — it is a major health decision.

The Responsible Approach

At Mascot Healthcare Clinic Akoka, we advise couples to:

✔️ Know their genotype early
✔️ Undergo premarital screening
✔️ Seek proper genetic counseling
✔️ Make informed decisions based on risk

Final Takeaway

Yes, AS and AC can legally marry.

But if your goal is zero risk of sickle cell disease, then it is not advisable due to the 25% risk of having a child with SC disease in every pregnancy.

Before you say “I do,” say “Let’s test.”

Get Reliable Genotype Testing in Akoka, Lagos

Mascot Healthcare Clinic provides:

  • Accurate genotype testing
  • Premarital screening
  • Sickle cell counseling
  • Same-day laboratory services