In America 90,000 - 100,000 people have sickle cell disease. This disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cells. If a child inherits the sickle cell gene from both parents, they will have sickle cell disease. Someone who inherits the gene from just one parent will have the sickle cell trait, but not the disease. They will remain a carrier of the gene. Normal red blood cells are doughnut shaped and are able to move easily through s mall blood vessels. Sickle cells are pointed and stiff. These cells get stuck in narrow blood vessels. This causes anemia, episodes of pain and can lead to organ damage. What is Sickle Cell Disease? Symptoms in the Classroom Diagnosis and Testing Sickle cell disease usually is diagnosed at birth with a blood test during routine newborn screening tests. Children with s ickle cell disease are at an increased risk of infection and other health complications, early diagnosis and treatment to prevent problems is important. Currently, more than 40 states require newborn screening programs for sickle cell disease. Sickle Cell Disease Infection:Kids with sickle cell disease are at increased risk for certain bacterial infections. It's important to watch for fevers of 101°F (38°C) or higher, which could signal an infection. Children with sickle cell disease and fever should be seen by a doctor immediately. Painful episodes:These may occur in any part of the body and may be brought on by cold or dehydration. The pain may last a few hours, a few days, or sometimes much longer. Pain may be so severe that a child needs to be hospitalized. Stroke:Impaired blood flow in the brain can occur. Signs can include headache, seizures, weakness of the legs and arms, speech problems, a facial droop, or loss of consciousness. Current Research Bone marrow transplants are the only known cure for sickle cel l. Unfortunately this procedure is expensive, risky and only for severe cases. Even without a cure, children can lead h ealthy lives with the help of medica tions. Advances in the field of medication has helped to manage the pain. Also additional advancements with antibiotics has helped to prevent infections. Currently gene research continues to be studied as a way to inactivate the sickle gene. Based on findings in 2013, researcher Stuart Orkin, MD stated, "Coupled with recent advances in technologies for gene engineering in intact cells, it could lead to powerful ways of manipulating hemoglobin production and new treatment options for hemoglobin diseases." “As recently as 30 years ago, children with SCD usually did not survive into adulthood. Now, as a result of advances in screening and treatment, more than 90 percent of individuals with SCD reach adulthood.”Agency for Healthcare Research
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8/14/2019 Fact Sheet - Sickle Cell EDU 214 2013.pdf
In America 90,000 - 100,000 peoplehave sickle cell disease. This diseaseis an inherited blood disorder thataffects the red blood cells. If a childinherits the sickle cell gene from bothparents, they will have sickle celldisease. Someone who inherits thegene from just one parent will havethe sickle cell trait, but not thedisease. They will remain a carrier ofthe gene.
Normal red blood cells are doughnutshaped and are able to move easilythrough small blood vessels. Sicklecells are pointed and stiff. These cellsget stuck in narrow blood vessels.This causes anemia, episodes of painand can lead to organ damage.
What is Sickle Cell Disease? Symptoms in theClassroom
Diagnosis and TestingSickle cell disease usually is diagnosed at birth with a blood test during routine
newborn screening tests. Children with sickle cell disease are at an increased
risk of infection and other health complications, early diagnosis and treatment to
prevent problems is important. Currently, more than 40 states require newborn
screening programs for sickle cell disease.
Sickle Cell Disease
Infection: Kids with sickle
disease are at increased ri
for certain bacterial infecti
It's important to watch for
fevers of 101°F (38°C) or
higher, which could signal
infection. Children with sic
cell disease and fever sho
be seen by a doctor
immediately.
Painful episodes: These
occur in any part of the bo
and may be brought on by
or dehydration. The pain m
last a few hours, a few day
or sometimes much longe
Pain may be so severe tha
child needs to be hospitali
Stroke: Impaired blood fl
the brain can occur. Signs
include headache, seizures
weakness of the legs and
arms, speech problems, a
facial droop, or loss of
consciousness.
Current ResearchBone marrow transplants are the only known cure for sickle cell. Unfortunately
this procedure is expensive, risky and only for severe cases. Even without a
cure, children can lead healthy lives with the help of medications. Advances in
the field of medication has helped to manage the pain. Also additional
advancements with antibiotics has helped to prevent infections.
Currently gene research continues to be studied as a way to inactivate the
sickle gene. Based on findings in 2013, researcher Stuart Orkin, MD stated,
"Coupled with recent advances in technologies for gene engineering in intact
cells, it could lead to powerful ways of manipulating hemoglobin production and
new treatment options for hemoglobin diseases."
“As recently as 30 years ago, children with SCD usually did not survive intoadulthood. Now, as a result of advances in screening and treatment, more than90 percent of individuals with SCD reach adulthood.” Agency for HealthcareResearch
8/14/2019 Fact Sheet - Sickle Cell EDU 214 2013.pdf