Sickle cell anemia?
DefinitionSickle cell anemia is a disease passed down through families in which red blood cells form an abnormal crescent shape. (Red blood cells are normally shaped like a disc.)Alternative NamesAnemia - sickle cell; Hemoglobin SS disease (Hb SS); Sickle cell diseaseCauses, incidence, and risk factorsHemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S distorts the shape of red blood cells, especially when exposed to low oxygen levels.The distorted red blood cells are shaped like crescents or sickles. These fragile, sickle-shaped cells deliver less oxygen to the body's tissues. They can also clog more easily in small blood vessels, and break into pieces that disrupt healthy blood flow.Sickle cell anemia is inherited from both parents. Sickle cell disease is much more common in people of African and Mediterranean descent. It is also seen in people from South and Central America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.Someone who inherits the hemoglobin S gene from one parent and normal hemoglobin (A) from the other parent will have sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait do not have the symptoms of true sickle cell anemia.SymptomsSymptoms usually don't occur until after age 4 months.Almost all patients with sickle cell anemia have painful episodes (crises), which can last from hours to days. These crises can affect the bones of the back, the long bones, and the chest.Some patients have one episode every few years. Others have many episodes per year. The crises can be severe enough to require a hospital stay.Common symptoms include:Attacks of abdominal painBone painBreathlessnessDelayed growthand pubertyFatigueFeverPalenessRapid heart rateUlcers on the lower legs (in adolescents and adults)Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)Other symptoms include:Chest painExcessive thirstFrequent urinationPainful and prolonged erection (priapism - occurs in 10 - 40% of men with the disease)Poor eyesight/blindnessStrokesSkin ulcersSigns and testsTests commonly performed to diagnose and monitor patients with sickle cell anemia include:Complete blood count (CBC)Hemoglobin electrophoresisSickle cell testOther tests may include:BilirubinBlood oxygenCT scan or MRIPeripheral smearSerum creatinineSerum hemoglobinSerum potassiumUrinary castsor blood in the urineWhite blood cell countTreatmentPatients with sickle cell disease need ongoing treatment, even when they are not having a painful crisis. They should take supplements of folic acid (essential for producing red blood cells) because red blood cells are turned over so quickly.The purpose of treatment is to manage and control symptoms, and to limit the frequency of crises.During a sickle cell crisis, you may need certain treatments. Painful episodes are treated with pain medicines and by drinking plenty of fluids. It is important to treat the pain. Non-narcotic medications may be effective, but some patients will need large doses of narcotics.Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) is a drug some patients use to reduce the number of pain episodes (including chest pain and difficulty breathing). It does not work for everyone.Antibiotics and vaccines are given to prevent bacterial infections, which are common in children with sickle cell disease.Blood transfusions are used to treat a sickle cell crisis. They may also be used on a regular basis to help prevent strokes.Other treatments for complications may include:Dialysis or kidney transplant for kidney diseaseDrug rehabilitation and counseling for psychological complicationsGallbladder removal (if you have gallstone disease)Hip replacementfor avascular necrosis of the hipIrrigation or surgery for persistent, painful erections (priapism)Surgery for eye problemsWound care, zinc oxide, or surgery for leg ulcersBone marrow or stem cell transplants can cure sickle cell anemia. However, transplants have many risks, including infection, rejection, and graft-vs-host disease. Therefore, they are currently not an option for most patients. Also, sickle cell anemia patients are often unable to find well-matched donors.Support GroupsSickle cell anemia can cause great stress to the patient and family members. Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems can relieve this stress.See: Sickle cell anemia - support groupExpectations (prognosis)In the past, sickle cell patients often died from organ failure between ages 20 and 40. Thanks to a better understanding and management of the disease, today, patients can live into their 50s or beyond.Causes of death include organ failure and infection. Some people with the disease experience minor, brief, infrequent episodes. Others experience severe, long-term, frequent episodes with many complications.ComplicationsAcute chest syndromeAnemiaBlindness/vision impairmentBrain and nervous system (neurologic) symptoms and strokeDeathDisease of many body systems (kidney, liver, lung)Drug (narcotic) abuseErectile dysfunction (as a result of priapism)GallstonesHemolytic crisisInfection, including pneumonia, gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), bone infection (osteomyelitis), and urinary tract infectionJoint destructionLeg sores (ulcers)Loss of function in the spleenParvovirus B19infection, leading to low red blood cell production (aplastic crisis)Splenic sequestration syndromeTissue death in the kidneyCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have:Painful crisesAny symptoms of infection (fever, body aches, headache, fatigue)PreventionSickle cell anemia can only occur when two people who carry sickle cell trait have a child together. Genetic counseling is recommended for all carriers of sickle cell trait. About 1 in 12 African Americans has sickle cell trait. It is possible to diagnose sickle cell anemia during pregnancy.You can prevent sickling of red blood cells by:Getting enough fluidsGetting enough oxygenQuickly treating infectionsHave physical exams every 3 - 6 months to ensure that you are getting enough nutrition and activity, and that you are receiving the proper vaccinations. Regular eye exams are also recommended.PREVENTING INFECTIONSPeople with sickle cell anemia need to keep their immunizations up to date, including Haemophilus influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, hepatitis B, and influenza.Some patients may receive antibiotics to prevent infections.PREVENTING CRISESParents should encourage children with sickle cell anemia to lead normal lives.To reduce sickle cell crises, take the following precautions:To prevent oxygen loss, avoid: Demanding physical activity (especially if the spleen is enlarged)Emotional stressEnvironments with low oxygen (high altitudes, nonpressurized airplane flights)SmokingKnown sources of infectionTo make sure you're getting enough fluids: Avoid too much exposure to the sunHave fluids on hand, both at home and awayRecognize signs of dehydrationTo avoid infection: Consider having the child wear a Medic Alert braceletHave the child vaccinated as recommended by the health care providerShare the above information with teachers and other caretakers, when necessaryBe aware of the effects that chronic, life-threatening illnesses can have on siblings, marriages, parents, and the child.ReferencesLee MT, Piomelli S, Granger S, et al. Stroke prevention trial in sickle cell anemia (STOP): extended follow-up and final results. Blood. 2006;108:847-852.Brawley OW, Cornelius LJ, Edwards LR, Gamble VN, Green BL, Inturrisi C, et al. National Institutes of Health consensus development conference statement: hydroxyurea treatment for sickle cell disease. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:932-938.Geller AK, O'Connor MK. The sickle cell crisis: a dilemma in pain relief. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83:320-323.Hebbel RP. Pathobiology of sickle cell disease. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone;2008:chap 42.Saunthararajah Y, Vichinsky EP, Embury SH. Sickle cell disease. Clinical features and management. In: Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SS, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2008:chap 43.U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Newborns: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Sep 2007:AHRQ Publication No. 07-05104-EF-2.
