Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Nutrition for the Child with Sickle Cell Anemia
source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
year: 2018
authors: Marisa Moore
summary/abstract:Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), also called Sickle Cell Anemia, is a genetic red blood cell disorder that causes blood cells to take on a sickle or crescent shape. In the U.S., SCD is most common among African Americans and Hispanic Americans. People with SCD often experience episodes of pain, fatigue and frequent infections. SCD is associated with low calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency and poor appetite. All of these can lead to delayed growth and development in children.
If your child gets enough calcium, keep up the good work! However, calcium alone is not enough. Calcium is effective at building strong bones only if your child also gets enough vitamin D. Emory University Associate Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Ify Osunkwo explains, “Many sickle cell disease patients are vitamin D deficient due to their darker skin, lack of dairy intake and limited sun exposure. If they drink milk, are out in the sun and open to eating dairy, they tend to fare better.”
read moreRelated Content
-
Alloimmunization is associated with older age of transfused red blood cells in sickle cell diseaseRed blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization is...
-
The Life, Death, and Dream of a Research Diversity Crusader“We want to have a nation in which the...
-
Patient Reported Outcomes and Adherence to Hydroxyurea in Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: A F...Background: SCD-related complications r...
-
Sickle Cell Disease Research Shows Progress in Preventing Related Complications and DeathStudies aim to limit pain crises, preven...
-
How to Talk to Your Child About Hydroxyureahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_apTt2j0...
-
Sickle Cell Treatment Endari Now Available in the United StatesEmmaus Life Sciences has announced that ...
-
Today’s Faces of Sickle Cell Disease: Rodrick MurrayRodrick Murray was 3 months old when he ...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.