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Members, I am going to attempt to write up regular medical topics which hopefully will be of benefit or interest to those reading.  In this opening article on sickle cell, I choose to start off with key points which are definitive of sickle cell anaemia and hope to be able to later look at ways of redress.  Any comments are welcomed as would any additions to what is stated hereby.

Sickle cell anemia is a serious condition in which the red blood cells can become sickle-shaped (that is, shaped like a “C”).

Sickle-shaped cells don’t move easily through the blood. They’re stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in blood vessels. The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in the blood vessels, causing pain, serious infections, and organ damage.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited, lifelong condition. People who have sickle cell anemia are born with it. They inherit two copies of the sickle cell gene, one from each parent.

People who inherit a sickle cell gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other parent have a condition called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait don’t have the condition, but they can pass the sickle cell gene on to their children.

Sickle cell anemia affects millions of people worldwide - most common in people whose families come from Africa, South or Central America (especially Panama), Caribbean islands, Mediterranean countries (such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy), India, and Saudi Arabia.

The signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia are different in each person. Some people have mild symptoms. Others have very severe symptoms and are often hospitalized for treatment. The most common signs and symptoms of sickle cell anaemia are linked to anaemia and pain (also referred to as a "sickle cell crisis").

Infection is a major complication of sickle cell anemia. Pneumonia, in particular, can be a life-threatening complication in children with sickle cell anemia. Routine treatment with penicillin and vaccinations are used to prevent infection in children.

Strokes are a major complication for children with sickle cell anemia. Routine screening and early treatment can prevent strokes.

Early diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is very important so that children who have the condition can get proper treatment. Screening tests for sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait are done on newborn infants in most parts of the developed world - I am yet to ascertain whether this is the case Uganda as well as other parts of Africa. One blood test used to diagnose sickle cell anemia looks at how hemoglobin moves in an electric field. This is called electrophoresis, and it’s usually used to diagnose older children and adults.

Effective treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms and complications of sickle cell anemia, but in most cases there’s no cure. (Some researchers believe that bone marrow transplants may offer a cure in a small number of cases.)

Sickle cell anemia is treated with medicines, blood transfusions, and other treatments specific to certain complications.

Researchers are working to develop new treatments for sickle cell anemia, including gene therapy and safer and more effective bone marrow transplants.

If you have sickle cell anemia, take good care of yourself and see your doctor regularly - also look into genetic counselling as part of family planning.

If your child has sickle cell anemia, you should learn as much about the condition as possible. This will help you recognize early signs of problems, such as fever or chest pain, and seek early treatment.

 Thanx 4 the info SB. If u r a sickle cell carrier, does it mean that the only way of avoiding having kids with this ailment is marrying some1 who is not a carrier like yoself? If so, this may be tough on some carriers who think thy have met 'the one'  only 2 discover they r fellow sickle cell carriers.

Sickle cell anemia (disease) can only result when two carriers with sickle cell trait have a child together. Therefore, genetic counseling is recommended for all carriers of sickle cell trait. Just like some genetically transferable illnesses or life-threatening illnesses brought on by HIV, the counselling is there for persons to make well-informed choices and if need be, prepare for what lays ahead in terms of how to deal with a child who may have sickle cell anaemia to prevent what is termed as a "sickle crisis". For instance, parents whose children have sickle cell anaemia should encourage their children to lead normal lives. However, in order to decrease the occurrence of sickle cell crises, the following precautions might be of use:

To prevent loss of oxygen from tissues, avoid the following:

1. Demanding physical activity, especially if the spleen is enlarged
2. Emotional stress
3. Environments with low oxygen content (high altitudes, non-pressurized airplane flights)
4. Known sources of infection

To promote proper hydration:

1. Recognize signs of dehydration   
2. Avoid too much exposure to the sun
3. Provide access to fluids, both at home and away

To avoid sources of infection:

1. Keep child properly immunized as recommended by the health care provider
2. Consider having the child wear a MAB (Medic Alert Bracelet)
   
3. Share above information with teachers and other caretakers as appropriate

As a carrier, a person may have already witnessed the pain and suffering of a sibling or close relative, first-hand who may have been carrying the sickle anaemia gene.  This is a chronic ailment which although can be symptomatically relieved at times, it can cause a strain on marital relationships, parents and the child too - especially when the child has to start attending school and is faced with dealing with persons who may or may not understand their ailment fully.