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Sickle cell disease (SCD), also simply called sickle cell, is a group of hemoglobin-related blood disorders that are typically inherited. [2] The most common type is known as sickle cell anemia. [2] Sickle cell anemia results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red blood cells. [2]
Individuals with TEC have a median age of presentation of 18–26 months; however, the disorder may occur in infants younger than 6 months and in children as old as age 10 years. Because of the gradual onset of the anemia, children are often healthier than expected from their low hemoglobin levels. [citation needed]
Anemia must be significant before a person becomes noticeably pale. [1] Additional symptoms may occur depending on the underlying cause. [1] Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe. [6] Anemia can be caused by blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, and increased red blood cell breakdown. [1]
It is possible for a person to have both the gene for hemoglobin S (the form associated with sickle cell anemia) and the gene for hemoglobin C; this state is called hemoglobin SC disease, and is generally more severe than hemoglobin C disease, but milder than sickle cell anemia. [2]
Both may present with a new opacification of the lung on chest x-ray. The presence of fevers, low oxygen levels in the blood, increased respiratory rate, chest pain, and cough are also common in acute chest syndrome. Diagnostic workup includes chest x-ray, complete cell count, reticulocyte count, ECG, and blood and sputum cultures.
In children and adults red blood cell transfusion to increase the hemoglobin level to 100 g/L has been shown to decrease the risk of sickle cell-related complications. [2] However, this has not been seen in all studies, and has only been demonstrated for African haplotypes of Hemoglobin SS. [12] [13]
The sickle cell trait provides a survival advantage against malaria fatality over people with normal hemoglobin in regions where malaria is endemic. The trait is known to cause significantly fewer deaths due to malaria, especially when Plasmodium falciparum is the causative organism.
Sick cell syndrome is a medical condition characterised by reduced functioning of the cellular Na+/K+ pump, [1] which is responsible for maintaining the internal ion homeostasis. The clinical result is a rise in blood K+ level and drop of blood Na+ levels