Sickle Cell Disease: A Resource for the School Nurse and Educator

This resource is designed to provide teachers, school nurses, and other school personnel, with information about sickle cell disease. Having this information may make you more comfortable with the child with sickle cell disease in your classroom or school. This information may also give you some insights into the school-related needs of these children, allowing you to provide the best opportunities and services to fit each child's needs. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder of which there are several types, the most common being Sickle Cell Anemia (Hb SS Disease). Approximately 1 in 400 African-American babies are born with Sickle Cell Anemia. Another type is Sickle C Disease. Approximately 1 in 1000 African-American babies have Sickle C Disease. Sickle Beta Thalassemia is another type of SCD. SCD is found predominantly in the African-American population but is also seen in people of other ethnic groups. These ethnic groups include individuals from parts of the Middle East, Central India, and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, especially Italy and Greece. In light of these statistics, you are likely to have a student with some form of Sickle Cell Disease in your school or classroom. Abstract source