Sickle Cell Anemia and its Prevention
Abstract
Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD).
SCD is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red
blood cells. “Sickle-shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped
like a crescent.
Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without
holes in the center. They move easily through your blood vessels. Red
blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin. This protein
carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.Sickle cells contain
abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. Sickle
hemoglobin causes the cells to develop a sickle, or crescent, shape.
Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block blood flow in the blood
vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain and
organ damage. It can also raise the risk for infection.
Normal Red Blood Cells and Sickle Cells
Figure A shows normal red blood cells flowing freely in a blood vessel.
The inset image shows a cross-section of a normal red blood cell with
normal hemoglobin. Figure B shows abnormal, sickled red blood cells
blocking blood flow in a blood vessel. The inset image shows a cross-
section of a sickle cell with abnormal (sickle) hemoglobin forming
abnormal strands
Sickle Cell Mutation
Sickle cell anemia has no widely available cure. However, treatments to
improve the anemia and lower complications can help with the symptoms
and complications of the disease in both children and adults. Blood and
marrow stem cell transplants may offer a cure for a small number of
people.
Over the past 100 years, doctors have learned a great deal about sickle
cell anemia. They know its causes, how it affects the body, and how to
treat many of its complications.
Sickle cell anemia varies from person to person. Some people who have
the disease have chronic (long-term) pain or fatigue (tiredness). However,
with proper care and treatment, many people who have the disease can
have improved quality of life and reasonable health much of the time.
Because of improved treatments and care, people who have sickle cell
anemia are now living into their forties or fifties, or longer.
Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease. People who have the disease
inherit two genes for sickle hemoglobin—one from each parent.
Sickle hemoglobin causes red blood cells to develop a sickle, or
crescent, shape. Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block
blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood
flow can cause pain and organ damage. It can also raise the risk for
infection.
Sickle Cell Trait
People who inherit a sickle hemoglobin gene from one parent and a
normal gene from the other parent have sickle cell trait. Their bodies make
both sickle hemoglobin and normal hemoglobin.
People who have sickle cell trait usually have few, if any, symptoms and
lead normal lives. However, some people may have medical
complications.
People who have sickle cell trait can pass the sickle hemoglobin gene to
their children. The following image shows an example of an inheritance
pattern for sickle cell trait.
Example of an Inheritance Pattern for Sickle Cell Trait
When both parents have a normal gene and an abnormal gene, each child
has a 25 percent chance of inheriting two normal genes; a 50 percent
chance of inheriting one normal gene and one abnormal
Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia
The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue (feeling tired or weak).
Other signs and symptoms of anemia include:-
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Coldness in the hands and feet
• Paler than normal skin or mucous membranes (the tissue that lines your
nose, mouth, and other organs and body cavities)
• Jaundice (a yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes)
Signs and Symptoms Related to Pain
Sudden pain throughout the body is a common symptom of sickle cell
anemia. This pain is called a sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell crises often affect
the bones, lungs, abdomen, and joints.
Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia
Hand-Foot Syndrome
Sickle cells can block the small blood vessels in the hands and feet in
children (usually those younger than 4 years of age). This condition is
called hand-foot syndrome. It can lead to pain, swelling, and
fever.Swelling often occurs on the back of the hands and feet and moves
into the fingers and toes. One or both hands and/or feet might be affected
at the same time.
Splenic Crisis
The spleen is an organ in the abdomen. Normally, it filters out abnormal
red blood cells and helps fight infections. Sometimes the spleen may trap
red blood cells that should be in the bloodstream. This causes the spleen
to grow large and leads to anemia.If the spleen traps too many red blood
cells, you may need blood transfusionsuntil your body can make more
cells and recover.
Acute Chest Syndrome
Acute chest syndrome is a life-threatening condition linked to sickle cell
anemia. This syndrome is similar to pneumonia. An infection or sickle cells
trapped in the lungs can cause acute chest syndrome.People who have
this condition often have chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever. They
also often have low oxygen levels and abnormal chest X ray results.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Damage to the small blood vessels in the lungs makes it hard for the heart
to pump blood through the lungs. This causes blood pressure in the lungs
to rise.Increased blood pressure in the lungs is called pulmonary
hypertension (PH). Shortness of breath and fatigue are the main
symptoms of PH.
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks
of gratitude to my teacher (mrs anshika
bajpai) as well as our principal
(mrs.sadhana pandey)who gave me the
golden opportunity to do this wonderful
project on the topic (sickle cell anemia),
which also helped me in doing a lot of
Research and i came to know about so
many new things I am really thankful to
them.
Secondly i would also like to thank my
parents and friends who helped me a lot
in finalizing this project within the limited
time frame.
Certificate
This is to certify that (Anmol) of class 12
has successfully completed the project
work on (biology) for class XII practical
examination of the Central Board of
Secondary Education in the year (2021-
2022). It is further certified that this
project is the individual work of the
candidate.
BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
TOPIC - SICKLE CELL ANEMIA
Submitted by- Anmol
th
12 (A)
