Language: English
Language: English
Thousands of years ago, sickle cell emerged as a genetic mutation to protect populations in tropical regions from severe forms of malaria. While inheriting this genetic trait from one parent offers some evolutionary protection against malaria, inheriting the genetic trait from both parents risks disease. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited, lifelong blood disorder that causes individuals to produce abnormal hemoglobin, causing their red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped. These sickled cells have a shortened lifespan, resulting in a constant shortage of red blood cells. When these sickled cells travel through the blood, they often get stuck in the smaller blood vessels, blocking other oxygen-rich red blood cells from freely flowing throughout the body. This leads to complications ranging in severity, including severe pain, acute chest syndrome (a condition that lowers the level of oxygen in the blood), stroke, organ damage, and even premature death.
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Symptoms of SCD can range from mild to severe enough to require frequent hospitalizations. Possible signs of SCD include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult your primary physician at your earliest convenience.
Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which the blood cells become deformed and are unable to function properly.
To learn more about sickle cell anemia and other blood disorders, visit http://hematology.org/Patients.
Individuals carrying a sickle cell-related genetic trait
Individuals living with sickle cell disease
Hispanic-American Births
African-American or Black Births
Black or African-American Births will roughly have Sickle cell Trait
infants born with SCD annually
of the word's population is carrying a sickle cell-related genetic trait
of the word's population living with SCD is located in Sub-Saharan Africa
of infants born with SCD in Sub-Saharan africa will die before the age of 5
Sickle cell is a complex disease that requires high-quality, comprehensive care. Various clinical interventions exist to treat people living with SCD, and more innovative treatment options are in development. However, many social determinants of health, such as financial expenses, prevent people living with SCD from accessing these therapies. An overview of the range of evidence-based treatment options for people living with SCD is provided below.
Many different therapies exist to reduce the clinical impacts of SCD and help people living with the disease manage symptoms.
These disease mitigating therapies include:
Red blood cell Transfusions
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) have been used for the treatment of SCD by replacing bone marrow with blood-forming stem cells from a donor. While BMT is an innovative option, this process is also expensive, risky, and limited to individuals who have a healthy, matching bone marrow donor.
Gene therapy is the latest in potentially curative therapy made available by the FDA for SCD with the approval of CRISPR and Lovo-Cel. These are the first two therapies in a new class of drugs but are limited due to availability and cost. Treatment is time-intensive and the long-term efficacy or impact of gene therapy is not yet fully understood but are still being studied.
Researchers are developing new treatment options that have the potential to cure SCD. It is important for individuals with sickle cell to discuss with their providers whether these options are viable and accessible to address the complex challenges of SCD.
People living with SCD are afflicted on two fronts - one by having a serious, chronic condition that inflicts pain and other clinical complications - the other by facing social factors that further impair health outcomes. To successfully conquer sickle cell, systemic changes must be made that address the clinical, social, and economic needs of people living with the disease. Today, there are many opportunities to transform this disease and the way we care for the people it impacts. Learn more about how different partners are working to improve the state of SCD by visiting the Strategic Priorities page. To learn more about how the SCD Coalition is specifically working to conquer SCD, check out our various sub-committee webpages and goals below.
Access To Care
Blood Donor Diversity
Research & Clinical Trials
Global Issues
Sickle Cell Trait
