By: E.C.

1
Sickle Cell Anemia

• By E.C.
• It is also known as sickle cell disease. It is
  when a group of red blood cells become distorted.

2
Important Researchers

• 1910, Sickle Cell Anemia is first observed by
  James B. Herrick.
• 1927, Hahn and Gillespie found that the disease
  was related to low oxygen in the blood.
• 1940, Sherman discovers that the structure of the
  hemoglobin had been changed.

3
What does the Sickle Cell Look Like

• It looks jagged.
• It becomes sticky.
• It becomes shaped like a sickle, a type of tool
  that is used to cut wheat.
• This shape forms when the hemoglobin located in
  the cell changes into a rod shape.

4
Other Facts

• 1 in 5000 people have the disease outside the
  African American population.
• 1in 400-600 people have the disease in the
  African American population.
• There is a 25 chance of the offspring receiving
  the disease if both parents are carriers.

5
More Facts

• There is a 50 chance of the offspring receiving
  the disease if one parent is a carrier and the
  other has the disease.
• When there are no complications present a patient
  will have a normal lifespan.

6
Who Could Get the Disease?

• It is found in both sexes. It is most common
  among African Americans.
• It can also be found in people who are Arab,
  Greek, Latin American, Italian, and Indian.
• The only way to get the disease is if your
  hemoglobin is type S, or sickle trait. It is
  inherited.

7
Three Types of the Disease

• Hemoglobin SS
• Hemoglobin SC Disease
• Hemoglobin Sickle Beta- Thalassemia
• Each type causes pain and some complications.

8
Complications

• Pain episodes
• Clotting
• Increased Infections
• Leg Ulcers
• Bone Damage
• Loss of Water in Urine

9

• Blood blockage in the spleen or liver
• Early gallstones
• Lung blockage
• Kidney Damage
• Eye damage
• Low red blood cell growth
• Delayed growth

10
Is there a Cure?

• There is no cure, but there are ways to treat it.
• Avoiding stress
• Resting
• Bone marrow stimulation
• Blood transfusions

11
Conditions

• Chest pain
• Fever
• Sudden weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Vision change

12
Research is being done daily to help prevent the
disease completely.
13
Resources

• http//www.emory.edu/PEDS/SICKLE/sicklept.htm
• http//sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/menu_sickle.htm
• http//rad.usuhs.mil/rad/home/cases/sickle.html