What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that causes a lifelong anemia (low blood count). This happens because of a change in the makeup of the hemoglobin (a protein in the red blood cells) which carries oxygen to the body.

What happens with Sickle Cell Disease?

Normal red blood cells are shaped like a doughnut which allows them to squeeze through small blood vessels. In sickle cell disease, red blood cells are sickle shaped, unbending and block small blood vessels. They also break up easily and causes anemia. Major complications are painful crises, serious infection, stroke and damage to body organs

How common is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide. It affects over 70,000 people in the U.S.

• Is most common among people of African descent. 1 in every 12 African Americans has the trait. 1 in every 400 has sickle cell disease.
• It also affects people from Spanish speaking regions (South and Central America, Cuba). 1 in every 100 Hispanics has the trait. 1 in every 1000 Hispanics has sickle cell disease.
• It also affects people from another regions; India, Saudi Arabia and the Mediterranean (Italy, Greece, Turkey).

Types of Sickle Cell Disease?

There are several types of sickle cell disease. The most common are:

• Sickle Cell Anemia (SS)
• Sickle C Disease (SC)
• Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia (SB+)
• Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia (SBO)

How do you get Sickle Cell Disease?

If both mother and father carry the trait for a sickle cell disorder, there is a:

• 25% chance with each pregnancy for that child to have sickle cell disease.
• 50% chance for the child to have a trait
• 25% chance that the child will not have disease or trait.

What medical problems are associated with Sickle Cell Disease?

In sickle cell disease, hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen is altered. This causes the red blood cells to stiffen and twist into jagged “sickle” shapes. These cells block small blood vessels leading to:

• Painful crises (pain in arms, legs, chest or abdomen)
• Stroke
• Lung tissue damage (acute chest syndrome)
• Serious infections
• Damage to many organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver
• Anemia

Are children at serious risk?

Children with sickle cell disease are more likely to get severe bacterial infections and sudden enlargement of the spleen.

How do you test for Sickle Cell?

A blood test called hemoglobin electrophoresis will detect sickle cell disease, trait and other hemoglobin types.

What is Sickle Cell Trait?

Sickle cell trait (AS) is an inherited condition where one carries the gene for sickle cell.People with sickle cell trait are generally healthy but should be aware of their trait status.Click for more information on sickle cell