What Is Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease is a serious, inherited disorder that affects red blood cells, causing the cells to change their shape. It can be a very painful disease.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a substance that carries oxygen from the air in the lungs to all parts of the body.

Normal red blood cells contain hemoglobin "A". they are soft and round and can easily pass through tiny blood vessels.

People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin "S", an abnormal type of hemoglobin. these cells become sickle (crescent) shaped, stiff and sticky and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels.

When sickle shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what may cause the complications of sickle cell disease.

Normally, red blood cells live for about 120 days before new ones replace them. Red blood cells containing mostly hemoglobin "S" do not live as long as normal red blood cells. The early breakdown of the red cells decreases the amount of hemoglobin in the blood to carry oxygen, this causing anemia of which the disease is also know as, Sickle Cell Anemia.

Any child with sickle cell disease needs close medical attention from their local doctor. The child's caregivers should receive instructions about the disease and understand his/her special needs.