Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Q. What is Sickle Cell Disease?

A. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder which can cause bouts of pain, damage of vital organs, and for some, even death in childhood or early adulthood. Its effects vary greatly from one person to another and from one time to another in the same person. Most people with sickle cell anemia enjoy reasonable good health.

 

Q. How does Sickle Cell Disease affect individuals?

A. Oxygen-carrying red blood cells are normally round and flexible. But under certain conditions, the red blood cells of a person with sickle cell anemia may change into a crescent or sickle shape within their blood vessels. Sickled cells tend to become trapped in the spleen and elsewhere, and are destroyed, resulting in a shortage of red blood cells which, when severe, can cause the sufferers to be pale, short of breath, and easily tired. Sufferers may be prone to certain infections, which can worsen their condition. Physical growth and development could be slower than normal.

Sometimes, certain conditions may worsen a person's anemia. This can happen when red blood cells are either destroyed, produced in insufficient amounts, or are removed from the circulation. Infections and other problems can speed up the destruction of red blood cells. A tell-tale sign of this is the yellowing of the whites of a patient's eyes. Reduced red blood cell production can be caused by a viral infection or vitamin deficiency, especially during pregnancy. Large numbers of red blood cells may be trapped in the spleen. This occurs primarily in young children.

 

Q. What persons are affected with Sickle Cell Disease?

A. In the United States, most cases of Sickle Cell Disease occur amongst Blacks and Hispanics of Caribbean ancestry. About one in every 400 to 600 Blacks and one in every 1,000 to 1,500 Hispanics inherit Sickle Cell Disease. This disease also affects some people of Arabian, Greek, Maltese, Sicilian, Sardinian, Turkish and Southern Asian ancestry.