Sickle cell anemia is one of the genetic disorders known as sickle cell disease. It affects the structure of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they travel easily through blood vessels. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they travel easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, some red blood cells look like scissors or shiny moons. These sickle cells are also strong and sticky, which can slow down or block blood flow. There is no cure for most people with sickle cell anemia. Treatment can reduce pain and help prevent complications related to the disease. Symptoms: Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 6 months of age. They vary from person to person and may change over time. Signs and symbols may include: Anemia; sickle cells break down easily and die. Red blood cells usually live about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells usually die within 10 to 20 days, leaving a deficiency of red blood cells (anemia). Without adequate red blood cells, the body is unable to get enough oxygen and this causes fatigue. Pain episodes; occasional episodes of chronic pain, called pain disorders, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain begins when red blood cells form a scissors that block the flow of blood through the small blood vessels to your chest, abdomen, and joints. The pain varies in intensity and can last for several hours to a few days. Some people have only a few problems a year. Some have twelve or more a year. The problem of severe pain needs to be hospitalized. Some teens and adults with sickle cell anemia also have chronic pain, which can be caused by damage to the bones and joints, ulcers, and other causes. Swelling of the hands and feet: inflammation is caused by a pair of scissor red blood cells that block the flow of blood to the hands and feet. Frequent infections; sickle cells can damage the spleen, increasing the risk of infection. Infants and children with sickle cell anemia often receive antimicrobials and antimicrobials to prevent life-threatening illnesses, such as pneumonia. Delayed growth or puberty; red blood cells provide the body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow. Lack of healthy red blood cells can slow down the growth of infants and children and delay adolescence. Vision problems; the tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes may be connected by scissors. This can damage the retina - the part of the eye that processes visual images - and can lead to vision problems. Causes: Sickle cell anemia is caused by a genetic mutation that tells the body to produce an iron-containing component found in red blood cells called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. The hemoglobin that accompanies sickle cell anemia causes red blood cells to become firm, sticky, and unstable. In order for the baby to be affected, both mother and father must carry one copy of the sickle cell gene — also known as the sickle cell trait — and forward both copies of the modified form to the child. If only one parent passes a certain gene to a child, that child will develop a sickle cell defect. With one common hemoglobin gene and one genetically modified gene, people with a sickle cell defect produce both hemoglobin and sickle cell hemoglobin. Their blood may be scissors, but they usually have no symptoms. They are carriers of the disease, however, which means they can pass on the gene to their children. When to see a doctor? See your healthcare provider immediately if you or your child has symptoms of sickle cell anemia. Because children with sickle cell anemia are more likely to get infections, which often start with a fever and can endanger their life, seek immediate medical attention for a fever that is higher than 101.5 F (38.5 C). Seek emergency help to find the symptoms of a stroke, including: Paralysis of the limb or weakness of the face, arms or legs, confusion, difficulty walking or speaking, sudden vision changes, being unexplained numbness and very painful headache. Can sickle cell anemia be cured? No. As of today, there's no cure for sickle cell anemia. However, there are treatments that have reduced the death rate among children and the levels of pain caused by the disease. If your baby has sickle cell anemia, your healthcare provider will explain what you can do to help your child live a normal life. Your baby may need to take medicine by the mouth for up to 10 years to prevent life-threatening infections. Later in life, care focuses more on managing pain. Prevention: If you have a sickle cell defect, seeing a genetic counselor before trying to conceive can help you understand the risk of having a baby with sickle cell anemia. The genetic counselor may also outline possible treatments, prevention measures, and reproductive options.
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