Sickle Cell Anemia
Overview
Causes
SCD is caused by a gene problem that can affect a part of the RBC called hemoglobin.
Parents pass the gene problem to their children. A person can only develop SCD if they get the gene problem from both parents.
If a person gets one problem gene, they will not have SCD. They can pass this gene on to their children.
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms may be noticed as early as six months old. They are different in everyone depending on where problems are in the body. The most common are:
- Tiredness—caused by anemia
- Painful swelling of hands and feet
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes— jaundice
- Belly pain
- Pale skin
Signs of acute chest syndrome (ACS) are:
- Cough
- Fever
- Breathing problems
- Chest pain
- Fast heart rate
SCD crisis may cause:
- Sudden pain—mainly in the back, chest, arms, or legs
- Pain may be throbbing or sharp
- Pain may be in one place or move around
SCD may cause other serious problems. Examples are a stroke or painful erections lasting four hours or more. These problems need care right away.
Treatments
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and lower the risk of health problems. If pain crises or problems from SCD are severe, hospital care will be needed.
Treatment options may include:
- Medicines, such as:
- Hydroxyurea—to help the body make more red blood cells and to lower the risk of problems
- L-glutamine—to help lower the number of pain crises
- Voxelotor—to help reduce anemia
- Crizanlizumab—an injection to lower the number of pain crises
- Penicillin—given to children up to age five to prevent certain infections
- Prescription or over the counter pain medicines
- Vaccines—to lower the risk of certain infections
- Blood transfusions—to treat anemia
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)—to cure SCD—it is not right for everyone
- Healthy habits such as rest, healthy diet, and fluids—to ease or lower the risk of pain crises
More treatments may be needed. It depends on how SCD affects the body.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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