Sickle Cell Disease
BY: Taylor Walker
Is it genectic?
Yes, Sickle cell disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Sickle Cell Anemia is caused by a genetic mutation of the gene that produces hemoglobin. The gene is inherited through a pattern called autosomal recessive inheritance; which means that the father and the mother must carry and pass on the defective gene for a child to be born with Sickle Cell Anemia.
What are the symptoms?
- Severe pain
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing
- joint pain,arthritis and bone infractions
- Blockage of blood flow in the spleen or liver
- severe infections
Is there a cure?
- Babies and young children with sickle cell disease must take a daily dose of penicillin to prevent potentially deadly infections.
- Doctors advise people with sickle cell disease to get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and avoid too much physical activity.
- Blood transfusions can also provide a patient with healthy red blood cells, and is also a common treatment.
- People with more severe cases of the disease can be treated with a bone marrow transplant. This procedure provides the patient with healthy red blood cells from a donor, ideally from a sibling.