Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia where red blood cells become rigid and shaped like sickles or crescents, due to a genetic mutation causing abnormal hemoglobin. Symptoms usually appear after 4 months and include abdominal pain, bone pain, breathing difficulties, fatigue, fever, and jaundice. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, limiting crises, and taking folic acid supplements to support red blood cell production.
2. What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?
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, our red blood cells are flexible and round
In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become
rigid and are shaped like sickles or crescent moons.
4. Causes of SCD:
Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal type of
hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin is a protein
inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin S
changes the shape of red blood cells, especially when the cells
are exposed to low oxygen levels. The red blood cells become
shaped like crescents or sickles.
Sickle cell anemia is inherited from both parents. If you inherit
the hemoglobin S gene from one parent and normal
hemoglobin (A) from your other parent, you will have sickle cell
trait. People with sickle cell trait do not have the symptoms of
sickle cell anemia.
5. Symptoms of SCD:
Symptoms usually don't occur until after age 4 months
Common symptoms include:
Attacks of abdominal pain
Bone pain
Breathlessness
Delayed growth and puberty
6. Fatigue
Fever
Paleness Ulcers on the lower legs (in adolescents and adults)
Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
Chest pain
Excessive thirst
Rapid heart rate
8. Treatment of SCD:
The goal of treatment is to manage and control symptoms, and
to limit the number of crises.
Patients with sickle cell disease need ongoing treatment, even
when they are not having a painful crisis.
Folic acid supplements should be taken. Folic acid is needed
to make red blood cells.
