SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Jess McClung

Causes

Both parents MUST have the sickle cell trait

Trace cells may be found

Is not communicable (unless both parents have traits)

Genetics counselor

Etiology

No incubation period

Signs and symptoms may appear after four months of age

Will have disease for entire life

Bone Marrow Operations

Detection

Genetics counselor will test both parents for the genes

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Signs and Symptoms

Attacks of abdominal pain, bone pain, breathlessness, delayed growth and puberty, fatigue, fever, paleness, rapid heart rate, ulcers on the lower legs, and yellowing of the eyes.

Painful Episodes

May happen very often or very little.

Some may require hospitalization

Abdominal pain, bone pain, and breathlessness are most common

Why?

This disease occurs because of the shape of the red blood cells.

There “sickle” shape make them inadequate for carrying oxygen to the body tissues.

Very common in African Americans and those of Caribbean decent.

Prevention Keep up with vaccinations to

avoid infections. Consult a Genetics counselor

before having children. Test early for your newborn Take proper precautions for

your children in every day activities

Encourage that they live a normal life.

Prognosis No known cure for this

disease Usually, there is death

between 20-40 years of age due to infection and your body’s inability to fight it off.

Although, new treatments give hope to live through out your 50s.

Site

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/sca.shtml

All info in paper and slide are from his site