Sickle cell anemia is a disorder in which that affects the normal capacity of red blood cells. RBC is vital cell required to supply oxygen and nutrients to the body. The shape of red blood cells of a person affected with sickle cell anemia resembles a sickle or crescent moon making it insufficient to supply the required blood to the organs. This condition can reduce the normal blood flow to all parts of the body.
This disorder is caused by gene mutation and is inherited. Treatment of this disease is oriented towards reducing the intensity of symptoms. The individual will inherit the abnormal hemoglobin which carries distorted shape of red blood cells. This condition can reduce the normal blood flow and sometimes damage the blood vessels leading to tissue damage and severe pain.
How sickle cells are inherited?
To inherit the disorder of sickle cell anemia, a child should inherit the mutated gene both from his father and mother. Some children may have only one sickle cell and they are just “carriers” of cell. Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal disorder. A child should have two sickle cells in his blood to develop this disease. A child that carries a sickle cell will not show any signs of this disorder. The problem occurs only if he gets married to a woman who is a carrier of sickle cell. Their children will have the highest risk of developing this disease.
Symptoms :
The most fortunate part of this disease is the symptoms can be observed as early as 4 months infant. The affected child will show one or more of the below signs.
Anemia :
Since sickle cells are weak they often break easily inside leading to depletion of red blood cells. Unlike normal RBC which can survive for 120 days these sickle cells will die in about 10 days. This causes acute shortage of red blood cells leading to anemic condition which in turn leads to fatigue and body pain.