Sickle Cell Anemia Kristi Maulding & Matt Isenburg
Feb 23, 2016
Sickle Cell Anemia
Kristi Maulding &
Matt Isenburg
An abnormality on the structure of hemoglobin that causes red blood cells to elongate and become sickle
shaped instead of being round and smooth
Definitions
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Symptoms
• Baby: Swelling on the short bones of the hands and feet because of clumping red blood cells. Infection is also common. Sometimes sequestration crisis enlarges the spleen.
• Older Children/Adults: Painful crises and fever can occur. Clumps can reduce or cut off blood supply for major organs such as the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys (paralysis can occur as a result). Physical exercise can be limited due to breathlessness and lack of exercise. Severe anemia can cause the person to become listless and pale. Enuresis (wetting) may be present due kidneys not concentrating the urine properly.
Treatments• Anesthetics• Penicillin when infection occurs• Pain relievers & water during
crisis-paralysis• Blood transfusion during severe
anemia • No extreme strenuous physical
exercise • Bone marrow transplants are
the only complete cure• Hydroxyurea is a new drug that
stimulates fetal hemoglobin to prevent sickling
Genes
• Only populations from Greece, South Turkey, Italy, and West Africa are affected.
• Affects the hemoglobin-beta gene on chromosome 11.
• Hemoglobin is called “hemoglobin S” when abnormal
Bibliography• Book: The A-Z Reference Book of
Syndromes & Inherited Disorders by Patricia Gilbert
• Website: http://www.genome.gov/10001219
• Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UpwV1tdxcs