Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Sickle Cell Disease – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
year: N/A
summary/abstract:Sickle cell disease is the name of a group of inherited blood disorders that is characterized by chronic anemia, periodic episodes of pain and other complications.
The disease affects the red blood cells. Sickle cell disease results when red blood cells make mostly hemoglobin S instead of the normal hemoglobin A. Normal red blood cells are smooth, round and soft; their shape and softness enable them to move easily through the blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
In sickle cell disease, the abnormal hemoglobin S causes the red blood cells to become hard, pointed and sticky and shaped like crescents or sickles. When these hard and pointed red cells go through the small blood vessels, they often get stuck and block the vessels. They also stick to and damage the lining of larger blood vessels. The damaged vessels become scarred, narrowed and sometimes completely closed.
read moreRelated Content
-
A multiple drug approach to preventing sickle cell crisisSickle cell disease is characterized by ...
-
Retinopathy and Sickle Cell DiseaseSickle cell disease is a disorder that c...
-
Noninvasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Sickle Cell DiseaseComplications affecting multiple organs,...
-
Possible Cure for Sickle Cell Found in ParisHematologists, sickle cell patients, and...
-
Ayòbámi Adébáyò on how having the sickle cell trait inspired her bestselling debutIt has been quite a year for Ayòbámi A...
-
Sickle Cell & PregnancySickle cell disease often becomes more s...
-
Hospitals See No Link Between US Opioid Crisis and Patients’ Use of Treatment, Study ReportsThe U.S. opioid epidemic is not linked t...
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.