SickleCellAnemia

Nicole Townson & Pam McPheeters

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?What causes it?

Sickle Cell Anemia is...The most common genetic disorder in

the U.S.• 1 in 375 African Americans affected • 1 in 1000 Hispanic Americans affected• Other nationalities affected by sickle cell:

Africans, Arabs, Greeks, Italians, Latin Americans and Eastern Indians. 

• Can occur in people of all races

Sickle Cell Anemia is...• Sickle cell trait is an inherited condition

from parents. • People who carry the sickle cell trait are

generally healthy

What are the symptoms of SCA?

• Anemia• Jaundice • Gallstones• Pain episodes• Acute Chest Syndrome• Stroke• Severe infection • High blood pressure in the lungs

How is Sickle Cell Anemia diagnosed?• Newborn babies in the U.S. are tested• During pregnancy, amniotic fluid or tissue

from the placenta can also be tested• Blood testing

What is the treatment?

• For adults, Hydroxyurea is used to reduce:osevere painoacute chest syndromeoneed for blood transfusions

•  The FDA approved this drug in 1998o for children, studies for proper dosage are

currently being conducted

Conditions to watch for

• Fever• Chest pain• Shortness of breath• Swelling• Sudden visual change

Guidelines to keep patients healthy

• Take vitamin folic acid daily to help make new red blood cells

• Avoid too hot or too cold temperatures• Blood transfusions• Antibiotics

          How is the disorder treated?           Sickle Cell Anemia • Antibiotics            • Blood transfusions• Bone marrow transplant• Intravenous fluids

“As to diseases, make a habit of two things - to help, or at least, to do no harm.” ~Hippocrates