Sickle cell disease is a genetic red blood cell disorder. It changes normal, round red blood cells into cells shaped like crescent moons. Sickled cells can get stuck in blood vessels and block them, which stops oxygen from getting through. That can cause a lot of pain and can harm organs, muscles, and bones.
Normal red blood cells move easily through blood vessels, taking oxygen to every part of your body.
People who have sickle cell disease have mostly sickled red blood cells. These cells can get stuck and block blood flow through a blood vessel. That means red blood cells and oxygen can't flow to some parts of the body.
Sickle cell disease is inherited, which means it is passed from parent to child. To get sickle cell disease, a child has to inherit two sickle cell genes—one from each parent. These sickle cell genes are defective hemoglobin S genes.
Painful events (sickle cell crises) in the hands or feet, belly, back, or chest are the most common symptom of sickle cell disease. This pain may last from hours to days. Most people with sickle cell disease are anemic, which can make them feel weak and tired.
Sickle cell disease is diagnosed when a simple blood test shows abnormal hemoglobin. A sickle cell test looks for sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.
Treatment involves getting routine tests to monitor health, managing pain events (sickle cell crises) with medicine, and treating related health problems as they arise. Some people need regular blood transfusions to lower the risk of stroke and to treat anemia and other problems.
Sickle cell disorders are inherited. That means they are passed from parent to child. Children with sickle cell disease have two defective hemoglobin S genes, one from each parent. Various forms of sickle cell disorders occur when a person inherits one hemoglobin S gene (sickle cell gene) from one parent and one other type of defective hemoglobin gene from the other parent.
Normally, a person inherits two genes that tell the body to produce normal hemoglobin A. One gene comes from each parent. People who inherit one defective hemoglobin S gene and one normal hemoglobin A gene have sickle cell trait. These people rarely have symptoms of sickle cell disease. Their bodies don't make sickled blood cells. But, as carriers, they can pass the defective hemoglobin S gene to their children.
When a child is born with sickle cell disease, no one can predict which symptoms will appear, when they will start, or how bad they will be.
Painful events (sickle cell crises) in the hands or feet, belly, back, or chest are the most common symptom of sickle cell disease. They are periods of pain that happen when sickled cells get stuck in blood vessels and block the blood flow. This pain may last from hours to days.
Most people with sickle cell disease are anemic. Anemia can make you feel weak and tired. People with sickle cell anemia may look pale or washed out. They may be short of breath. Their skin and the whites of their eyes may have a yellowish look (jaundice).
When a child is born with sickle cell disease, it's impossible to predict which problems will develop, when they will start, or how bad they will be. During the first 6 months of life, infants have a high level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in their blood, which protects them from red blood cell sickling. But dangerous complications of sickle cell disease may quickly develop between ages 6 months and 5 years, after levels of fetal hemoglobin decrease.
Older children and adults with sickle cell disease may have few problems. Or they may have a pattern of ongoing complications that shortens their lives. The most common and serious problems caused by sickle cell disease are anemia, pain, and organ failure.
Sickle cell disease may cause problems such as:
Other problems include:
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you have sickle cell disease and have:
Call your doctor if you or your child has:
Make a pain management plan with your doctor that includes where and when to get treatment in case of a sickle cell emergency.
Sickle cell disease is diagnosed when initial blood tests show abnormal hemoglobin. A sickle cell test looks for sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.
The disease can be diagnosed soon after birth. A sample of blood is taken from the infant's heel. It's sent to a lab. There it is screened for the presence of sickle cell hemoglobin (hemoglobin S).
The disease may also be diagnosed based on the problems it can cause. More testing may be done if needed.
Doctors can diagnose sickle cell disease before a child is born (prenatally). Prenatal tests include amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
Couples who are at risk for passing on this disease to their children may want to talk with a genetic counselor about prenatal testing before getting pregnant.
Medical treatment can help you manage pain and avoid other health problems from sickle cell disease.
Early treatment includes daily antibiotics from 2 months to 5 years of age to help prevent infections. Routine childhood and adult immunizations are also important. Your doctor may also suggest you take folic acid supplements.
Medicines that treat sickle cell disease include hydroxyurea and pain medicines. You may need a prescription for some of the medicines. Others you can buy over-the-counter. Pain medicine may work best when you also do other things to manage pain. You can prepare for painful events ahead of time by creating a pain management plan with your doctor.
Some people need regular blood transfusions to lower the risk of stroke and to treat anemia and other problems. Some people take prescription medicine, such as L-glutamine (Endari), to prevent problems. In rare cases, a stem cell transplant might be an option.
Here are some things you can do to help prevent problems when you or your child has sickle cell disease.
Work with your doctor to make a plan that includes instructions on how to treat pain at home. Your plan should also tell you when you need to go to the hospital if your pain gets worse.
Make sure that you and your child get all the recommended vaccines on schedule.
To help your child with sickle cell disease, make sure that your child takes antibiotics until age 5. And help your child avoid contact with anyone who might have fifth disease. A virus that causes fifth disease can suddenly stop the body from producing red blood cells. This is called an aplastic crisis.
Eye exams can find problems early.
Healthy eating helps keep your body's immune system strong. Talk to your doctor about what foods can help you stay healthy and any dietary supplements you may need. These are often a necessary part of the diet for people with sickle cell disease. They're even more important if you aren't eating enough folate-rich leafy vegetables (such as spinach).
Smoking and secondhand smoke reduce the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
Low oxygen levels caused by high altitudes and plane flights can cause problems. To avoid problems, drink plenty of water and fluids during air travel or when you're at altitudes higher than 5000 ft (1524 m), such as in the mountains.
Talk to your doctor about what symptoms to watch for. And know when to call your doctor and when you need emergency help.
If you have sickle cell disease, you can take steps to treat pain at home.
Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.
These can help take the focus off of the pain, or they can help the pain medicine work better. You can work with a pain specialist to learn about different techniques, such as:
You and your doctor can make a pain management plan. You're probably the best judge of when you need to use a stronger medicine.
You can take steps to help your child cope at school with the special needs of having sickle cell disease.
Make arrangements with teachers or a tutor to help your child keep pace with classmates when illness causes absences from school.
Explain that children with sickle cell disease may need to use the bathroom more often than other kids. They also need more water than the other students. Not drinking enough water can raise the chance of a sickle cell crisis.
Educate teachers and other school employees about the signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease that need urgent medical care. Write down the instructions and list who to call in an emergency.
Current as of: November 29, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Martin Steinberg MD - Hematology
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