| Sickle Cell Anemia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Show
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells, is found most often in African Americans and Hispanics, but can be found in other ethnic groups. Testing is part of a newborn screening program. Gene therapy is being researched as a treatment.
OverviewWhat is sickle cell disease (SCD)?Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects your red blood cells, producing a negative impact on your health. In SCD, your hemoglobin is not normal and cannot pass easily through your blood vessels. Hemoglobin is a protein that is part of your red blood cells. It is the substance that carries oxygen in the blood. Normal red blood cells are round and can move through small blood vessels in the body to deliver oxygen. In SCD, a chemical change in hemoglobin causes the formation of long rods. These rigid rods change the shape of the red blood cell into a sickle (which looks like a crescent). The sickle-shaped cells do not pass easily through blood vessels. They can clog or break apart which also leads to decreased red blood cell life. Sickle cells do not live as long as normal red blood cells. This will lead to increased iron storage in the liver and the heart, which could potentially cause damage to these organs. The damage could result in conditions such as liver failure, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy) and heart failure. How common is sickle cell disease (SCD)?SCD results from sickle cell trait (SCT). Sickle cell trait happens when people have one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. If you just have the SCT, you usually do not have symptoms and you don’t have SCD. However, you can pass SCT to your children. If both parents have the trait, the child may be more likely to have some type of sickle cell disease. While there are an estimated 1 million to 3 million people in the U.S. who have SCT, there are only about 100,000 people with SCD. Who is affected by sickle cell disease (SCD)?Sickle cell trait, and therefore SCD, is found more often in certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, South Asians, Southern European Caucasians, and Middle Easterners. In the United States, about 1 in 350-400 African American babies have sickle cell disease. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 300 million people with sickle cell trait. About one-third of this number are in sub-Saharan Africa. What are some common types of sickle cell disease?Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affect the hemoglobin including:
Symptoms and CausesWhat causes sickle cell disease (SCD)?SCD is an inherited condition. It is caused by defective HBB gene. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, in which parents of an individual with SCD each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition. What are the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD)?SCD signs and symptoms begin to show when a child is around four to five months old. Before that, fetal hemoglobin stops the red blood cells from changing shape (sickling). Signs and symptoms of SCD varies from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms, while others are frequently hospitalized for more serious complications Signs and symptoms of SCD include:
Diagnosis and TestsHow will your healthcare provider diagnose sickle cell disease (SCD)?U.S. law requires all babies to be tested for sickle cell disease as part of a newborn screening program. At this point, the test will indicate if the baby has an abnormal hemoglobin trait. Your doctor will order a blood test if you are not sure if you have sickle cell trait, disease or anemia. Management and TreatmentWhat are the treatments for sickle cell disease (SCD)?For most people with SCD today, medications are used to modify disease severity and to treat symptoms. These medications include:
A blood or marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant) can cure SCD. The transplant requires a donor who is a good match, such as a sibling, and ongoing studies are looking to optimize the transplant from alternative donors such as mother, father or siblings who only half matched. There are risks involved with a transplant. Currently, gene therapy is being tested to treat SCD. This calls for putting a normal hemoglobin gene into a person’s hematopoietic stem cells collected from marrow or peripheral blood and then putting those cells back into the body after receiving chemotherapy to create space for the new cells. There is promising early data and the hope is that gene therapy might one day be a routine treatment for SCD. Transfusions and red blood cell exchange Blood transfusions and red blood cell exchange do not cure sickle cell disease. However, they may be used to treat crisis situations, such as strokes, acute chest syndrome and organ failures. What are the complications of sickle cell disease (SCD)?Sickle cell disease can affect many parts of your body. Some of the effects are acute (they start suddenly) and some are chronic (they last for a long time). Sickle cell complications begin early and continue throughout life. Pain For instance, if you have SCD, you might have an acute pain crisis, which is also called a sickle cell crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). When the deformed blood cells cause a blockage, you might experience pain anywhere in the body. Areas that are hit by VOCs more often include the abdomen, chest, back, legs and arms. You might also have chronic pain, or pain that lasts longer than three months. Acute chest syndrome This complication of SCD is serious because of the lung damage that can occur when the sickle cells form in the blood tissue of the lungs. This might happen a couple of days after a pain crisis. You might also have an infection. You should call your healthcare provider and you may be admitted to a hospital. Neurological problems People with SCD are at risk for strokes. Sometimes the signs are obvious (clinical stroke). Sometimes the signs are not very obvious, and the stroke is said to be silent. (This is also called silent brain injury). Neurological issues could lead to long-term problems in learning, making decisions, or being able to work and keep a job. Vision problems The deformed blood cells can cause damage to the retina of the eye. In turn, this could result in vision problems or in loss of vision. It is important to get regular eye exams and let your doctor know if you have any change in your vision. Reproductive issues SCD can cause growth to be slow. This includes a delay in sexual maturity. For pregnant women, SCD can increase the risk for high blood pressure, blood clots, miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth. You should not use hydroxyurea if you are pregnant. Males can find themselves with priapism, a condition that happens when the deformed cells blocks blood flow out of an erect penis, and the penis stays erect for long periods of time. In addition to causing pain, priapism can harm the penis and result in impotence. Having an erection that lasts 4 hours or longer is a medical emergency. Does sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease affect pregnancy?Many women with sickle cell disease have healthy pregnancies, but the risks are higher. You should always have good prenatal care. If you have SCD, you might have problems like episodes of pain, infections, and vision problems. A woman with SCD has a higher risk of miscarrying, giving birth early, and having a baby who weighs less than 5 pounds and 8 ounces. Most women with sickle cell trait have healthy pregnancies and, like all pregnant women, should have regular prenatal care. PreventionHow can you prevent sickle cell disease (SCD)?You cannot prevent sickle cell disease. However, it is possible to be tested for sickle cell trait. If you are pregnant, you can have chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis (amnio) to test for SCT or SCD. You may want to consult a genetic counselor if you or your partner have SCT or SCD. Who is at risk of developing sickle cell disease (SCD)?Certain ethnic groups are more likely to develop SCD, including people of African, Hispanic and Mediterranean descent. Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the outlook for people with sickle cell disease (SCD)?People who have sickle cell disease have a reduced life expectancy. Some people with the disease can remain without symptoms for years, while others do not survive beyond infancy or early childhood. New treatments for SCD are improving life expectancy and quality of life. People with sickle cell disease can survive beyond their 50s with optimal management of the disease. Living WithWhen should you call your provider about sickle cell disease (SCD)?Contact your healthcare provider or get to an emergency room when:
What is the relationship between malaria and sickle cell disease?Research shows that people with sickle cell trait are protected against malaria. Areas of the world that still struggle with malaria thus have high numbers of people with SCT. ResourcesAre there resources for people with sickle cell disease (SCD)?If you or someone you care about has SCD, you might find helpful information and/or support from one of the following organizations. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive.
Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/25/2020. References
Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information  Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & ServicesCleveland Clinic Children'sCleveland Clinic Children's is dedicated to the medical, surgical and rehabilitative care of infants, children and adolescents. Related Institutes & ServicesCleveland Clinic Children'sCleveland Clinic Children's is dedicated to the medical, surgical and rehabilitative care of infants, children and adolescents. More health news + infoShow More
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat ActionsAppointments & AccessAccepted InsuranceEvents CalendarFinancial AssistanceGive to Cleveland ClinicPay Your Bill OnlineRefer a PatientPhone DirectoryVirtual Second OpinionsVirtual VisitsBlog, News & AppsConsult QDHealth EssentialsNewsroomMyClevelandClinicMyChartAbout Cleveland Clinic100 Years of Cleveland ClinicAbout UsLocationsQuality & Patient SafetyOffice of Diversity & InclusionPatient ExperienceResearch & InnovationsCommunity CommitmentCareersFor EmployeesResources for Medical ProfessionalsSite Information & PoliciesSend Us FeedbackSite MapAbout this WebsiteCopyright, Reprint & LicensingWebsite Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy PracticesNon-Discrimination Notice9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2023 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved. What happens if sickle cell is left untreated?Sickled cells can cause reduced blood flow to the kidneys, leading to kidney damage and chronic kidney disease. The kidneys are an organ that filters waste from blood and produces urine. When the kidney does not get enough oxygen, kidney cells can die early, making it harder for the kidneys to function properly.
How long can a sickle cell patient live?With a national median life expectancy of 42–47 years, people with sickle cell disease (SCD) face many challenges, including severe pain episodes, stroke, and organ damage.
Does sickle cell anemia shorten life expectancy?Tremendous strides in treating and preventing the complications of SCD have extended life expectancy. Now, nearly 95% of persons born with SCD in the United States reach age 18 years (1); however, adults with the most severe forms of SCD have a life span that is 20–30 years shorter than that of persons without SCD (2).
How old is the oldest living person with sickle cell?PROFILE: Asiata, 90-year-old sickler who has 5 children and has gone to Mecca 13 times. Asiata Onikoyi-Laguda, the woman believed to be the oldest sickle cell patient in the world, celebrated her 90th birthday on November 1, 2015 – a feat that is clearly in defiance of science.
|
Sickle cell anemia life expectancy without treatment
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 berikutyang Inc.
