Low blood count in Sickle Cell disease

Sep 26, 2015 News

By Dr Kumar Sukhraj
Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition in which there is not enough healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to all the cells of the body. In normal circumstances the red blood cells are flexible and round, moving easily through your blood vessels.
However in sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become rigid and sticky and are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These irregularly shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, and can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body.
For a baby to be born with sickle cell anemia, both parents must carry a sickle cell gene. The gene is more common in families that come from Africa, India, Mediterranean countries, Saudi Arabia, the Caribbean islands, and South and Central America. In the United States, it most commonly affects blacks.
Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia often don’t appear until an infant is at least four months old and may include:
·   Anemia. Decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body. Without enough red blood cells in circulation, your body can’t get the oxygen it needs to feel energized. That’s why anemia causes fatigue.
·   Episodes of pain. Occasional episode of pains, called crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. Pain can also occur in your bones.
·   Hand-foot syndrome. Swollen hands and feet may be the first signs of sickle cell anemia in babies. The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood flow out of their hands and feet.
·   Frequent infections. Sickle cells can damage your spleen, an organ that fights infection. This may make you more vulnerable to infections.
·   Delayed growth. Red blood cells provide your body with the oxygen and nutrients you need for growth. A shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers.
·   Vision problems. Some people with sickle cell anemia experience vision problems. Tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes may become plugged with sickle cells. This can damage the retina — the portion of the eye that processes visual images.
You need to contact your doctor if you are at risk of having sickle cell anaemia and experiencing any of the above mentioned signs and symptoms.
Please feel free to send an email to [email protected] or call 622-8032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of any illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on common health issues in the future publication.

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Low blood count in Sickle Cell disease

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