Sickle Cell Anemia
Definition
Sickle cell anemia is a group of genetic disorders that changes the composition of red blood cells. The genetic defect affects hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body.
Red Blood Cells: Normal and Sickled
Causes
Red blood cells are normally soft and round and move easily through the blood vessels. People with sickle cell anemia have an abnormal type of hemoglobin (hemoglobin S), which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sickle-shaped. Because of their odd shape, some of the "sickled" cells get stuck in the small blood vessels. There they break apart, causing blockages in the vessels. If the blockage occurs in a blood vessel that leads to a major organ, the decreased blood flow can cause severe pain and organ damage.
The body recognizes that sickled cells are abnormal and destroys them faster than they can be replaced. This causes anemia, or a shortage of red blood cells, especially under the following conditions:
- Fever
- Infection
- Dehydration
- Drop in oxygen or change in air pressure (sometimes occurs during airplane travel)
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors for sickle cell anemia include:
- Genetics: Children who inherit copies of the defective gene from both parents will have sickle cell anemia. Children who inherit only one copy of the gene will not have sickle cell disease, but will carry the trait.
- Race: Blacks of sub-Saharan origin
- Ethnicity: Greeks, Italians, and people from some parts of India, Central and South America, and the Arabian Peninsula
Symptoms
Sickle cell anemia produces a group of symptoms known as a sickle cell crisis. These are episodes of pain that occur with varying frequency and severity, and are usually followed by periods of remission. The risk for a sickle cell crisis increases with any activity that boosts the body's requirement for oxygen, such as illness, physical stress, or high altitudes.
These painful crises can last hours to days. They affect the bones of the back, the long bones, and the chest. The crises can be severe enough to require hospital admission for pain control and intravenous fluids.
Symptoms of impending sickle cell crisis include:
- Pain and swelling in the hands and feet
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Anemia
- Chest pain, or episodic pain in joints, abdomen, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Abdominal swelling
- Unusual or prolonged headache
- Any sudden weakness or loss of sensation
- Priapism (prolonged erection)
- Sudden vision changes
-
Sudden, severe anemia can cause:
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Heart failure
- Shock
- Loss of consciousness
Complications of sickle cell anemia include:
- Destruction of the spleen
-
Severe bacterial infections:
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Kidney and bone infections
- Damage to the joints (especially hip and shoulder)
- Gallstones
- Damage to eyes, resulting in impaired vision
- Stroke or other neurological impairment
- Seizures
- Liver disease
- High rate of hepatitis C
- Damage to penis, due to priapism (may result in impotence)
- Leg ulcers
- Heart murmurs or enlarged heart
- Delayed growth
- Delayed sexual development
Diagnosis
Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a simple blood test that can be done by a doctor or local sickle cell foundation. Most states require testing of newborns for sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait. Amniocentesis (a form of prenatal testing) can also detect sickle cell disease.
Treatment
Basic treatment of sickle cell crisis includes:
- Bedrest
- Pain relief medications
- Oral and intravenous fluids
- Oxygen—to reduce pain and prevent complications
In addition, treatment may include:
Penicillin
The National Institutes of Health recommends that newborns with sickle cell disease take penicillin twice a day, beginning at age two months and continuing until at least five years of age.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children with sickle cell disease who are 2-5 years of age receive pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-7).
Hydroxyurea
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) is a drug used to treat certain types of leukemia and other cancers. It is the first drug to significantly prevent complications of sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea increases the production of fetal hemoglobin, which decreases the number of deformed red blood cells. Therefore, it reduces the frequency of sickle cell crisis.
Hydrea is not appropriate for everyone with sickle cell disease. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that hydroxyurea be given only to patients over age 18 who have had at least three painful crises in the previous year.
Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions can treat and prevent some of the complications of sickle cell anemia. Regular transfusion therapy can help prevent recurring strokes in children.
Bone Marrow Transplant
A bone marrow transplant from a matched donor who doesn't have the sickle cell gene may be effective. There are medical risks involved, however, and recipients must take drugs that suppress the immune system for the rest of their lives.
Prevention
Sickle cell anemia cannot be prevented because it is a genetic defect. However, there are some general guidelines that may keep the condition under control. Be sure to discuss these with your healthcare provider.
- Take daily folic acid supplements to build new red blood cells.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid temperature extremes.
- Avoid overexertion and stress.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Get regular check-ups with knowledgeable healthcare providers.
- Seek genetic counseling.
Resources:
American Sickle Cell Anemia Association
Sickle Cell Information Center
Canadian Resources:
About Kids Health
Sickle Cell Foundation of Alberta
References:
Information Center for Sickle Cell and Thalassemiac Disorders. Harvard University website. Available at: sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/index.html. Accessed October 30, 2006.
Mehanna AS. Sickle cell anemia and antisickling agents then and now. Curr Med Chem. 2001;8:79-88.
Sickle cell anemia. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sicklecellanemia.html. Accessed October 30, 2006.
Last reviewed October 2007 by Mark A. Best, MD, MPH, MBA, FCAP, FASCP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.