Sickle cell Disease Simplified

Sickle cell disease (SCD) and its variants are genetic disorders resulting from the presence of a mutated form of hemoglobin, hemoglobin S (HbS). The most common form of SCD found in is homozygous HbS disease (HbSS), an autosomal recessive disorder. Healthy red blood cells with normal hemoglobin are round and move easily through blood vessels. When a child has SCD, the red blood cells are hard and sticky. They are shaped like the letter C (and like a farm tool called a sickle). These damaged red blood cells (sickle cells) clump together. They can’t move easily through the blood vessels. They get stuck in small blood vessels and block blood flow. This blockage can cause pain. It can also damage major organs. Sickle cells die sooner than healthy cells. Normally the spleen helps filter infections out of the blood. But sickle cells get stuck in this filter and die. Having fewer healthy red blood cells causes anemia. The sickle cells can also damage the spleen. Without a healthy spleen, children are more at risk for serious infections. Become a premium Medcriner TODAY! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb1LglhAi_YGQnazlqeWRsQ/join Check our website for more medical lecture notes at https://medcrine.com Follow us on www.x.com/medcrine Facebook at www.fb.me/medcrine Pinterest at pinterest.com/medcrine Telegram at t.me/medcrine email us on info@medcrine.com