Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by mutations in the hemoglobin gene inherited from both parents. It causes red blood cells to become rigid and form into a sickle shape, which can block blood flow and cause pain. Common symptoms include anemia, pain episodes, frequent infections, and delayed growth. There is no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and prevent complications, while researchers are studying new drugs that may one day provide a cure. St. Jude Hospital is conducting several major clinical trials to test treatments that could prevent organ damage and reduce sickle cell symptoms.

1. Sickle cell
anemia
By: Anel Sanchez
Core: 4
Science teacher: Mrs. Hoff
Homeroom teacher: Sally Eagon.

2. Introduction:
My disease is Sickle cell anemia. The sickle cell disease will be in the U.S, Central
Africa, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and the Indian organ. The sickle cell disease is
recent.
Disease:
The medical term for sickle cell disease is drepanocytic anemia. The common term for
the sickle cell disease is drepanocytosis. A sickle cell disease is a group that affects
hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cell that delivers oxygen to cells throughout your
body. The cause of the disease it is that two genes for the sickle hemoglobin – one from
each parent. The organ of the mutation that led to the sickle cell gene was initially
throughout the Arabian Peninsula, spreading to Asia and Africa. It has been at least four
independent mutation events occurred between 3,000 and 6,000 generations ago
approximately 70-150,000 years.
Symptoms:
The symptom that a sickle cell disease can do is Anemia, Episodes of pain, Hand-foot
syndrome, frequent infections, Delayed growth, and Vision problems. Anemia can
shorten your blood cells however it dies around 10-20 days. The episodes of pain can last
for a few hours or a few days the most places where the pain can be is your chest,
abdomen, and joint. Pain can also occur in your bones. Hand-foot syndrome swollen
hands and feet are a sign that the sickle cell anemia in babies the swelling is caused by

3. sickle shaped blood cells blocks the flow of the blood out of the hands and feet. When the
sickness becomes more serious these symptoms will occur paleness, rapid heart rate,
shortness of breath, and yellowing eyes and skin.
Transmission of the diseases:
The sickle cell disease is not contagious. The disease is a genetic disorder that is passed
down from parent to child. To have the disease both parents must carry a cell that is
called a sickle cell trait, then there is a 25% chance that the child will have the disease.
The individual can decrease the disease by:
Maintaining a life style.
Take steps to prevent and control complications.
Learn ways to cope with the pain.
The child and adult who both have the sickle cell disease may get infections
easily. The sickle cell anemia can damage the spleen, an organ that helps fights
the infections. The infections that people who have the sickle cell disease can
have meningitis, influenza, and hepatitis.
Treatments:
There is really no cure for the sickle cell disease but there are scientists that are
studying for several medicines are:
Decitabin
Adenosine A2a
5-HMF

4. Decitabin – helps by prompts the body to fetal hemoglobin. Fetal hemoglobin helps
prevent red blood cells from sickling. Adenosine A2a – this medicine may reduce pain-
related complications. 5-HMF- This medicine compound binds to red blood cell and
increase the oxygen. The treatment helps by decreasing pain and it helps to increase
blood cells. Treatment may include antibiotics, vitamins, blood transfusions, pain-
relieving medicines, and other medications. There is possible surgery to correct eye sight
or to remove a damaged spleen.
Prognosis:
Sadly this disease that I am doing is not curable. The symptoms that people have to carry
on for life is pain tons and tons of pain. This disease is not terminal as some other
websites made say people who have this disease there life span is about 40-50 years 50
years is the average of the life span.
Future of the disease:
St. Jude did some research and some of their major clinics trials at St. Jude include:
Babyhu- The purpose of this study is to determine if hydroxyurea can prevent
organ damages; specifically spleen and kidney damage.
Switch: This trial will compare hydroxyurea and phlebotomy versus transfusions
and chelation therapy
Hustle: The purpose of this study is to determine the long term effects of
hydroxyurea therapy in children with sickle cell disease. The research is being
done at St. Jude. The doctors really think that they are close to find the disease but

5. they know that it is not really easy because of the sickle cell are not easy to flow
in through openings.
Conclusion:
Sickle cell disease is recent and it is very difficult to find the perfect cure. People
suffer by constants of pain or other symptoms. The disease has been going on
3,000 and 6,000 generations ago approximately 70-150,000 years. St. Jude and
other hospitals are trying to research about this disease. As we know this sickness
is not contagious it is only passed down from generations to generations. I hope
that our technology and our very intelligent scientist are able to find out about this
sickness so they can save many lives.