Synonyms

• Acute chest crisis, Anemia, aplastic crisis, autosomal recessive, beta thalassemia, genetic counseling, genetic testing, genetic screening, HBB gene, HbC, HbE, HbS disease, HbSBetaThal disease, HbSC disease, HbSE disease, hemoglobin C, hemoglobin E, hemoglobin S disease, mutation, newborn screening, pulmonary hypertension, recessive, SS disease, SCA, SCD, sickle cell anemia, sickle cell disease, sickling disorder due to hemoglobin S, sickle-hemoglobin C disease, sickle-hemoglobin E disease, sickle beta-plus-thalassemia, sickle beta-zero-thalassaemia, thalassaemia, thalassemia, vaso-occlusive crisis.

Background

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common name for several inherited disorders that affect red blood cells. SCD affects about 80,000 people in the United States, making it the most common blood disorder in the country. SCD occurs more frequently in certain populations, such as African Americans. In this population, about one out of every 400 people has the disorder.
• SCD occurs in individuals who have defective forms of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The defective hemoglobin causes red blood cells to assume an abnormal sickle (or C-like) shape. These irregular-shaped blood cells die early, causing a shortage of red blood cells.
• Because anemia causes decreased oxygen in the blood, symptoms may include shortness of breath and fatigue. Anemia may also increase the risk of infections and may delay growth in children.
• Sickle cell anemia (SCA), or SS disease, is the most common form of SCD. The terms "sickle cell anemia" and "sickle cell disease" are often used interchangeably.
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Risk Factors

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Causes

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Signs and Symptoms

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Types of the Disease

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Diagnosis

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Complications

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Treatment

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Integrative Therapies

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Prevention

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Author Information

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Bibliography

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