September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, designated by Congress to help focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease.
SCD is diagnosed with a simple blood test. It most often is found at birth during routine newborn screening tests at the hospital. In addition, SCD can be diagnosed before birth.
Because children with SCD are at an increased risk of infection and other health problems, early diagnosis and treatment are important. If the result of newborn screening is positive for sickle cell disease, the baby will be referred to a specialist to start penicillin prophylaxis.
There are different treatments available for sickle cell disease. Some medications decrease the complications of the disease, like pain crisis and organ damage. There are many new medications that are in the final stage of clinical trials and waiting for FDA approval. Blood transfusion is used for patients who have severe anemia or stroke. Pain medications are used for management of pain crisis in sickle cell patients. Bone marrow transplant is the only cure for sickle cell patients.
The only cure for SCD is bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Bone marrow is a soft, fatty tissue inside the center of the bones where blood cells are made. A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is a procedure that takes healthy cells that form blood from one person—the donor—and puts them into someone whose bone marrow is not working properly. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants are very risky, and can have serious side effects, including death. For the transplant to work, the bone marrow must be a close match. Usually, the best donor is a brother or sister. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants are used only in cases of severe SCD for children who have minimal organ damage from the disease.
SCD is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes—one from each parent.
The Sickle Cell Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is a designated referral center for sickle cell disease in both states of Missouri and Illinois. This multi-disciplinary team provides both inpatient and outpatient medical care and supportive services to meet the many needs of almost 350 children with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies and their families. We also offer bone marrow transplant for eligible patients.
For more information on sickle cell disease, click here.
What is sickle cell anemia/sickle cell disease?
A group of disorders that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down. With sickle cell disease, an inherited group of disorders, red blood cells contort into a sickle shape. The cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells (sickle cell anemia), and can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis) and other complications of the disease, such as stroke.What are some of the symptoms?
Some type of infectious diseases like pneumonia, and bone infection, episodes of pain, fatigue and stroke are symptoms of sickle cell disease.
How is it diagnosed?
SCD is diagnosed with a simple blood test. It most often is found at birth during routine newborn screening tests at the hospital. In addition, SCD can be diagnosed before birth.Because children with SCD are at an increased risk of infection and other health problems, early diagnosis and treatment are important. If the result of newborn screening is positive for sickle cell disease, the baby will be referred to a specialist to start penicillin prophylaxis.
How is it treated?
There are different treatments available for sickle cell disease. Some medications decrease the complications of the disease, like pain crisis and organ damage. There are many new medications that are in the final stage of clinical trials and waiting for FDA approval. Blood transfusion is used for patients who have severe anemia or stroke. Pain medications are used for management of pain crisis in sickle cell patients. Bone marrow transplant is the only cure for sickle cell patients.
Is it curable?
The only cure for SCD is bone marrow or stem cell transplant.Bone marrow is a soft, fatty tissue inside the center of the bones where blood cells are made. A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is a procedure that takes healthy cells that form blood from one person—the donor—and puts them into someone whose bone marrow is not working properly. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants are very risky, and can have serious side effects, including death. For the transplant to work, the bone marrow must be a close match. Usually, the best donor is a brother or sister. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants are used only in cases of severe SCD for children who have minimal organ damage from the disease.
Is it genetic?
SCD is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes—one from each parent.
What type of services are offered for these patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital?
The Sickle Cell Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is a designated referral center for sickle cell disease in both states of Missouri and Illinois. This multi-disciplinary team provides both inpatient and outpatient medical care and supportive services to meet the many needs of almost 350 children with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies and their families. We also offer bone marrow transplant for eligible patients.For more information on sickle cell disease, click here.
