Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder caused when both parents carry the sickle cell trait and pass it to their child. The red blood cells take on a sickle shape, which prevents them from properly carrying oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms may appear after four months of age and include attacks of pain, breathing issues, fatigue and more. While there is no cure, new treatments are helping those with sickle cell anemia live longer, into their 50s rather than the previous average of 20-40 years of age. Prevention includes vaccinations, genetic counseling before having children, and living a normal life with proper precautions.

1. Sickle Cell anemiaJess McClung

2. Causes Both parents MUST have the sickle cell traitTrace cells may be foundIs not communicable (unless both parents have traits)Genetics counselor

3. EtiologyNo incubation periodSigns and symptoms may appear after four months of ageWill have disease for entire lifeBone Marrow Operations

4. DetectionGenetics counselor will test both parents for the genesComplete Blood Count (CBC)Hemoglobin electrophoresis

5. Signs and SymptomsAttacks 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.

6. Painful EpisodesMay happen very often or very little.Some may require hospitalizationAbdominal pain, bone pain, and breathlessness are most common

7. 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.

8. PreventionKeep up with vaccinations to avoid infections. Consult a Genetics counselor before having children.Test early for your newbornTake proper precautions for your children in every day activitiesEncourage that they live a normal life.

9. PrognosisNo known cure for this diseaseUsually, 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.

10. Sitehttp://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/sca.shtmlAll info in paper and slide are from his site