When can you find out if your baby has sickle cell anemia?

Do only black people get sickle cell?

Technically anyone could get Sickle Cell. If one of your parents had a sickle cell anemia trait they could have passed it down to their child. If both of them had it then they definitly passed it down to their child. If a person is trying to find out if they have Sickle Cell Anemia then they should see someone who can conduct a pedigree. Or a gene tracer. This was taught to me in Science class a couple years ago so the information could not be completely accurate.

What important function of the blood might be affected in individuals with sickle cell anemia?

Oxygenation of other body cells. -ZyraEdits For the record you can find out 90% of biology answers by using a dictionary.

What people are most likely to develop sickle cell anemia?

there is no specific group of people can get this disease, but i can tell you that in some country you will find the majority of sick people accumulate in one region and that due to the marriage from the same place in this case the no. of sickle disease will increase in that particular area.

How is malaria and sickle cells related?

Sickle cell anemia cause red blood cells to be shaped like sickles. malaria can't enter these cells which gives the person an immunity to malaria.

Why do sickle cell anemia cause so many problems?

A sickle cell is a malformed red blood cell. It is caused by a mutated gene inherited from one or both parents. If inherited from both parents the red cells are very malformed, causing sickle-cell anaemia. This is a serious illness, causing weakness and shortness of breath and often leading to an early death.Mutations like this are usually steadily removed from the gene pool because those with it tend to have fewer children. The sickle-cell gene remains in the gene pool because those who get it from only one parent have a slightly deformed red-cell. This causes only limited problems for the bearer, and has one large advantage - it makes the red-cell taste nasty to the malaria parasite. In other words, it protects against malaria which is otherwise often fatal.In areas where malaria is endemic it is common to find the sickle cell gene in about 15% of the population. When Africans came to the USA as slaves the gene came with them. However, malaria has never been common in the US, and the percentage of sickle-cell gene in black Americans has decreased steadily.

Do sickle cell patients have seizures I have two young adults with sickle cell anemia and just recently my daughter has started having seizures. The first doctor said they were self induced. HELP?

That doctor has no idea what he is talking about. I have sickle cell and I 37, In the last four years I have started having seizure because of the pain medication they prescribed while I am in the hospital. Anyone with sickle cell wouldn't do things like that to add to the problems we already have to deal with. I also have a sister that's living with sickle cell and one that died from it, she had a seizure at eleven months old that took her life so I guess if your doctor is right that would mean she committed suicide at 11 months old. Hang in there and go find the answers you need maybe you need a new doctor. Hope this helps

How do you know you have Sickle cell anemia?

When you have been diagnosed with it by a medical doctor by lab testing.

Where can one find info on sickle cell disease?

Information pertaining to Sickle Cell Disease can be obtained at your local doctors office, hospital, library or a reputable online source. Sickle Cell Disease is a disorder that effects a persons' red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to vital organs.

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.

If you have suffered from anemia for at least 4 years now. It has gotten worse through the years you have problems sleeping and take ambien now. Any Suggestions?

I do not believe that ambien is the answer to having anemia, and sorry to say this, but if it was a doctor that recommended that to you then he/she is a bad doctor! Yes, anemia is a sleep disorder but it is also a BLOOD disorder. Therefore ambien will not treat the cause of anemia. The only thing that you can do on your own is to take iron supplements, since one of the possible causes of anemia is an iron deficiency. If that doesn't do anything for you then you should see a doctor. Don't let them prescribe you a sleeping pill! That will only treat a symptom, not the the cause of. It is extremely important that you get a blood test done so that you can find out the underlying cause of your anemia since there are several different possible causes. And the treatment for each different cause of anemia is ALSO different, which is why iron supplements may not work for you. There are some very rare, but serious possible causes as well--another important reason to have your blood tested. Sickle cell Anemia is the only type of anemia that has no cure, however you would have already known by know if sickle cell is what you have. Basically, just get a blood test!!! No sleeping pills!!!! Sorry so long, hope that helps!

Find out the diseases which are passed from parents to offspringHoe are they carried and how can they be treated?

wo examples of such diseases: Sickle cell disease which is genetically transmitted. Both parents have the defective genes and each child has a 1 in 4 chance of having the disease. There is anemia and during sickle crisis, fever, jaundice and severe joints pains. Currently, no curative treatment is available, but pain killers and blood transfusion will keep them right. The second disease which can be transmitted from the is congenital (present at birth) syphilis. There is a rash on the baby, jaundice and enlarged liver could be present and there may be bone abnormality. Fortunately, congenital syphilis is now rare and curative treatment with antibiotics is available. If the mother has antenatal treatment, the disease can be prevented in the baby.

Why is the white coat colour of the spirit bear considered to be a neutral mutation in sickle cell anemia?

The white coat color of the spirit bear is considered a neutral mutation because it does not confer any significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of survival or reproduction within its environment. Similarly, the sickle cell trait is a mutation that provides a survival advantage against malaria in carriers, while the homozygous condition can lead to health issues. In contrast, the spirit bear's color does not affect its ability to find food or mate, making it a neutral trait in the context of natural selection. Thus, both examples illustrate how mutations can vary in their impact on fitness in different contexts.