Symptoms of sickle cell anemia

Sickle Cell Disease in Children What is sickle cell disease in children? Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder that a child is born with. It's passed down through a parent’s genes. Children with SCD make an abnormal type of hemoglobin. This is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. With SCD, the body organs and tissues don’t get enough oxygen. Healthy red blood cells with normal hemoglobin are round and move easily through blood vessels. When a child has SCD, the red blood cells are hard and sticky. They are shaped like the letter C (and like a farm tool called a sickle). These damaged red blood cells (sickle cells) clump together. They can’t move easily through the blood vessels. They get stuck in small blood vessels and block blood flow. This blockage can cause pain. It can also damage major organs. Sickle cells die sooner than healthy cells. Normally the spleen helps filter infections out of the blood. But sickle cells get stuck in this filter and die. Having fewer healthy red blood cells causes anemia. The sickle cells can also damage the spleen. Without a healthy spleen, children are more at risk for serious infections. There are several complex types of the sickle cell gene. Some don’t cause symptoms or severe problems, but others do. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about the specific form of sickle cell your child has. Most children with SCD will start showing symptoms during the first year, often around 5 month...

Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disease in which red blood cells are shaped like sickles rather than disks. Sickle cell anemia arises from a mutation in the hemoglobin gene that causes the blood cells to assume an abnormal shape. Sickle-shaped red blood cells have trouble passing through the smallest blood vessels and deliver less oxygen to the tissues of the body. They also increase the risk of An estimated two million Americans have at least one copy of the sickle cell gene. Sickle cell anemia is most common in people of African or Mediterranean heritage and is also seen in people of South American, Central American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern ancestry (Source: Symptoms, which range from infrequent and mild to severe and long term, begin to develop in late infancy. Symptoms include attacks of pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, Although there is currently no cure for sickle cell anemia, its symptoms can be managed. Common treatments include folic acid supplements, pain medication, and fluid supplements, as well as vaccines and antibiotics to control infections. Blood transfusions may be given for severe crises. Sickle cell anemia has many possible complications, including infections, damage to organs, and psychological complications, all of which may require medical intervention. However, with current medical treatments, people with sickle cell anemia can expect to live full lives. Emergency attention is needed for any severe sickle cell anemia crises or complicat...

The following is a list of symptoms and complications more commonly associated with sickle cell anemia. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms and complications may include, but are not limited to, the following: • Anemia. This is the most common symptom of all the sickle cell anemia. In sickle cell disease, red blood cells are produced but then become deformed into the sickle shape, which causes red blood cells to lose their ability to carry oxygen. This sickle shape makes the cells stiff and sticky causing them to become stuck in the vessels, destroyed by the spleen, or simply die because of their abnormal function. The decrease in red blood cells causes anemia.Severe anemia can make the person's ability to carry oxygen to the tissues more difficult,possibly causing them to be pale, dizzy, short of breath, and tired. Healing and normal growth and development may be delayed because of chronic anemia. • Pain crisis or sickle crisis. This occurs when the flow of blood is blocked to an area because the sickled cells have become stuck in the blood vessel. These are also called vaso-occlusive crises. The pain can occur anywhere, but most often occurs in the chest, arms, and legs. Painful swelling of the fingers and toes, called dactylitis, can occur in infants and childrenyounger than age3. Any interruption in blood flow to the body can result in pain, swelling, and possible death of the surrounding tissue not receiving adequate blood and oxygen...