BY: KATIE COGBURN

WHAT IS IT?

• It changes normal, round red blood cells into cells that can be shaped like crescent moons
• Normal red blood cells move easily through your blood vessels, taking oxygen to every part of your body
• But sickled cells can get stuck and block blood vessels, which stops the oxygen from getting through
• It can cause a lot of pain, harm organs, muscles, and bones.
• It can cause infections, anemia, and stroke.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

• It is inherited, which means it is passed from parent to child.
• When a child inherits the gene from just one parent, that child has sickle cell trait.
• Having this trait means that you do not have the disease but you are a carrier and could pass the
• gene on to your children.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

• Painful events are the most common symptom of sickle cell disease.
• They are periods of pain that happen when sickled cells get stuck in blood vessels and block the blood flow
• These events usually cause pain in the hands, feet, belly, back, or chest.
• The pain can last for hours or days.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

• With a simple blood test.
• Most states test for sickle cell disease before infants go home from the hospital.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

• Early treatment includes daily antibiotics from 2 months to 5 years of age to help prevent infections
• Routine childhood immunizations are also important.
• Managing pain is often a big part of having sickle cell disease.