Sickle Cell

By: Maritssa & Jasmine

What is Sickle Cell?

Sickle Cell (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder
Having abnormal hemoglobin
hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body

SCD is present at birth and not contagious

Signs and Symptoms

Every state in the United States requires all babies to receive screening for SCD
Symptoms vary from person to person
Painful swelling of the hands and feet
Fatigue or fussiness
A yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes

Most infants dont exhibit problems from SCD until about 5 or 6 months

How can SCD be prevented?

Because it is an inherited birth defect, the only way it can be prevented is by
knowing you carry an abnormal hemoglobin gene.
Get your blood tested and meet with a genetics counselor if you fear that you
may conceive a child with SCD

Causes to Sickle Cell

Genetic abnormality in the gene for Hemoglobin
Definition of Hemoglobin: a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen
in the blood of vertebrates. Its molecule comprises four subunits, each containing
an iron atom bound to a heme group.
( A better description) Oxygen is released from sickle hemoglobin it sticks together
and forms long rods which damage and change shape of

How can it be Detected?

(First Test) An adults blood is drawn from vein and for babies & children from
finger and heel and taken to a laboratory for results if positive further tests
(Additional Test) If the test was positive the blood will be examined under a
microscope for large number of sickle cells and if there are its confirmation for
sickle cell disease
( Before Birth Test) Doctors will sample some of the fluid surrounding the baby in
the womb

Treatments or Solutions
A Possible solution is bone marrow transplant but there can be risks that can
possibly lead to death
Definition of Bone Marrow: a soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones, in
which blood cells are produced
Treatments: Pain medications, IV Fluids, Oxygen, Antibiotics, Blood Transfusions,
Gene Therapy, Butyric Acid

Works Cited

"Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms, Causes, Treatments." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.

"Sickle Cell Anemia." Tests and Diagnosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.

"Google." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.

"Redirect Notice." Redirect Notice. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.

What is Sickle Cell? National Institute of Health, 22 Oct. 2015

How can Sickle Cell be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 22 Oct. 2015

What are the signs of Sickle Cell? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 22 Oct. 2015