Sickle Cell Anemia
...han these uncommon problems there should be no other health problems. Sickle cell trait is not sickle cell disease. If both parents are carriers there is a 75% chance that they will have a healthy child (6). The most common form of SCD is the homozygous sickle cell disease, commonly known as sickle cell anemia HbSS. The term anemia is given because the person has a reduced number of red blood cells. Anemia occurs because the sickle RBC does not live as long as normal RBC. A person with sickle cell disease cannot make RBC fast enough to keep up with rapid breakdown causing a low RBC count. If one parent has HbSS and their partner the trait then the risk of having a child with SCD is 50%, but if the partner does not then the couple cannot have an affected child (6). The second most common form of SCD is sickle cell/hemoglobin C or HbSC. Individuals with HbSC inherit one HbS gene and one HbC gene. The risk factors for HbSC depend upon the partner. As recently as the early 1970's, most people with sickle cell disease did not live beyond their early 20's. Many died before the age of 5, often from pneumoccal infections and sepsis(3). For this reason, testing is now being done on all newborns for sickle cell disease. It's a simple test called the hemoglobin electrophoresis. The test can be performed after two days of birth until adulthood. A blood sample is taken form the baby's heel for sickle cell screening as well as testing for other medical conditions. Once a diagnosis has been determined, and if positive, patients and family members should be aware of the conditions that may require medical evaluation. Although, SCD is present at birth actual signs of the illness do not present itself until 4 months of age (5). These are a few of the hallmark signs of SCD: 1) Decreased urination 2) swollen hands and feet, usually the first sign 3) weakness 4) dyspnea 5) fever, especially if greater than 101 constitutes a medical emergency 6) abdominal pain due to blood trapped in the spleen, this is also a medical emergency. Again, these are only a few of the problems that manifest due to SCD. Because blood flows to every part of the body, problems may occur in any area. Numerous complications can arise from sickle cell disease due to the cells breaking apart and blocking blood flow. Painful episodes and stroke are the most common. Other complications that could arise are acute chest syndrome, priaprisms as early as the age of 5, damage to the spleen and kidneys, and avascular necrosis of the long bones. Painful episodes, sickle crisis, or vaso- occlusion episodes are the most common complication among SCD individuals. The pain occurs mostly in the hands, arms, legs and feet. This happens when the sickle cells plug the blood vessels resulting in avascular necrosis (6). Bone pain can be mild to severe, lasting from days to weeks on some occasions. Decreasing some painful events can be done by increasing rest periods, constant hydration, and through the use of analgesics. Stroke is another major complication affecting individuals with SCD. Stroke can occur as early as the age of six (1). If strokes are not prevented, in time motor and sensory problems may occur. CVA studies on SCD individuals showed that incidences occurred the least in ages 20 to 29. The rates are higher in children and older patients. Treatment in the form of medication varies upon the stage of the illness. The best way to prevent a crisis or infections from occurring is by taken preventive measures to keep the sickle cell patient healthy. Taking vitamin folic acid d...