Sickle cell anaemia

∞Its an inherited blood disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin that help carry oxygen around the blood. The body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells(shaped like a C. ∞Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin that causes the cells to have a sickle shape. Sickle-shaped cells don’t move easily through your blood vessels. They’re stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in the blood vessels, blocking them. ∞ Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage. ∞A person with sickle cell anaemia has a low production of red blood cells because sickle cells don’t last long. They last for days. The bone marrow can’t make new red blood cells fast enough to replace the dying ones. ∞Its inherited from both parents. ∞Sickle prep- smear of blood using a special low-oxygen preparation ∞Due to improved treatment and care, people who have sickle cell anemia are now living into their forties or fifties, or longer.

Symptoms ∞Leg ulcers ∞Damaged eyes ∞Bacterial Infections ∞Lung and heart injury ∞Pain crises ∞Treatment ∞Bone marrow transplants