1. Sickle Cell Anemia

2. What is it? Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited genetic disorder caused by irregularly shaped oxygen-carrying proteins within the red blood cells. These red blood cells are fragile and burst easily. These cells can cause blood vessels to become blocked, which leads to internal organ and tissue damage as well as pain.

3. Where does it come from? Sickle Cell Anemia is passed on from generation to generation (inherited) as a recessive non-sex linked gene, meaning the trait is not gender specific. This trait does not produce an effect unlessboth the mother and the father carry this characteristic. A single sickle cell trait does not cause this disorder. Since the offspring’s mother and father both must have this trait in order for it to have an effect on them, only the child with the genetic make-up of “SS” (as shown in the diagram) will appear with the abnormal hemoglobin.

4. Do any pre-existing conditions contribute to this disorder? Increases of the number of abnormal red blood cells can be associated with low oxygen levels, increased acidity or low volume of the blood. High metabolism rates in humans promote this disorder by extracting more oxygen from the blood. These conditions can cause severe organ damage to people with Sickle Cell Anemia.

5. How is this disorder diagnosed? Sickle Cell Anemia is tested for by a Medical Technologist in a lab most commonly in a hospital setting. A smear of blood prepared using a low-oxygen technique is placed under a microscope and the sickle cells are easily seen if present. Other tests include how well the blood solutions dissolve in different solutions. DNA testing on fetal cells before birth can also diagnose this disorder.

7. Fatigue

8. Swelling/inflammation of hands and/or feet

9. Bacterial infections

10. Pooling of blood in spleen

11. Liver congestion

12. Eye damage

13. Weakened bones

14. Leg Ulcers, or open sores on legsTreatment is provided according to the symptoms of the illness. Normally, this includes the management and prevention of red blood cells stacking together causing blocked vessels. Therapy keeps the blood moving but ultimately there is no fix to reverse this disorder.

15. The Facts African Americans are more prone to this disease. Researchers found that the sickle cell gene is especially prevalent in areas of Africa hard-hit by malaria. The Sickle cell gene acted as a defense against malaria by carrying the parasite into the spinal cord through the deformed blood cells. 1 in 5,000 people (about 72,000) in the United States have this genetic disorder. The dark purple shows the highest affected areas of malaria which is associated with sickle cell anemia. Two million African-Americans (1 in 12 people) have the sickle cell trait.

16. The End