"Sickle Cell Anemia"

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease. A person will be born with sickle cell disease if they receive the genes from both the mother and the father. If the gene is inherited from one parent the person is considered a sickle cell carrier. A carrier has an increased chance of having a child with sickle cell disease. The person with sickle cell trait has received a message for normal and sickle cells.

Symptoms and complications of Sickle Cell Anemia vary with each individual. The symptoms include the following:

• Anemia
• Pain Crisis (Sickle Crisis)
• Acute Chest Syndrome
• Splenic Sequestration (pooling)
• Stroke
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin eyes or oral mucosa.

All major organs are affected by sickle cell disease. The liver, heart, kidneys, gallstones, eyes, bones and joints can suffer damage. Problems include:

• Increased infections
• Leg ulcers
• Bone damage
• Gallstones
• Kidney damage and loss of water in urine
• Eye damage.

Early diagnosis and prevention of complication is critical in sickle cell treatment. Treatment options may include:

• Pain Medication for sickle cell crisis
• Drinking plenty of water daily (8 to 10 glasses) or receiving fluid intravenously to prevent and treat pain crisis.
• Blood transfusions for anemia and to prevent stroke.
• Penicillin to prevent infections.
• Folic Acid to prevent severe anemia.
• Hydroxyurea is a medication used to reduce frequent pain crisis and acute chest syndrome.
• Bone Marrow transplant has been effective in curing some children with sickle cell.

The life expectancy for individuals has greatly increased.