Sickle cell anemia

Statistics What is sickle cell?

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. Normally, your red blood cells are flexible and round, moving easily through your blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become rigid and sticky and are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These irregularly shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body. There's no cure for most people with sickle cell anemia. However, treatments can relieve pain and help prevent further problems associated with sickle cell anemia.

-An estimated 100,000 People live with sickle cell disease in the U.S. And millions affected globally.

Shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers. Vision problems. Some people with sickle cell anemia experience vision problems. Tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes may become plugged with sickle cells. This can damage the retina the portion of the eye that processes visual images.

-Sickle cell disease occurs In 1 out every 500 African American births and 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic

When to see a doctor

Although sickle cell anemia is usually diagnosed in infancy, if you or your child develops any of the following problems, see your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care:

American births. -Sickle cell is most common in people of ancestry from Africa, South or Central America, Caribbean Islands, India and Mediterranean countries.

Symptoms

Unexplained episodes of severe pain, such as pain in abdomen, chest, bones or joints. Swelling in the hands or feet. Abdominal swelling, especially if the area is tender to touch. Fever. People with sickle cell anemia have an increased risk of infection, and fever can be the first sign of an illness.

Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually show up after an infant is 4 months old and may include: Anemia. Sickle cells are fragile. They break apart easily and die, shapedyou likechronically sickles or crescent leaving short on red blood cells. Red blood cells usually moons. These irregularly shaped live for about 120 days before they die and need to be replaced. cells can sickle get stuck indie small blood However, cells after only

Delayed cells vessels, growth. which can Red slow blood or block blood provide your body with the oxygen and nutrients you need for growth.

Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

How the Test is performed

Our kids favorite Christmas joke:

do you call a person A blood sample is needed. For informationWhat on how this is done, who Claustrophobic!

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is performed

This test is done to tell if you have abnormal hemoglobin that causes sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. In sickle cell disease, a person has two abnormal hemoglobin S genes. A person with sickle cell trait has only one of these abnormal genes and no symptoms, or only mild ones. This test does not tell the difference between these two conditions. Another test, called hemoglobin electrophoresis, will be done.

Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling light-headed Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken

Normal Results
A negative test result is normal. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples.Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Sickle cell anemia Sickle cell trait

Risks Sickle Cell Disease National Resource Directory: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Blood Disorders. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people 800-CDC-INFO, TTY: (888) 232-6348 may be more REFERENCES difficult than from others. www.mayoclinic.com/health/ sickle-cell Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include: Excessive bleeding www.sicklecelldisease.org Fainting or feeling light-headed Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Considerations Iron deficiency or blood transfusions within the past 3 months can cause a false negative result. Alternative Names