It affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide.
It’s an Inherited Disease
Sickle cell disease is not contagious like a cold.
People are either born with it or they are not.
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This is part of thenewborn screenperformed shortly after birth.
Identifying children with sickle cell disease in infancy can prevent serious complications.
This is because sickle cell trait can protect a person from becoming infected with malaria.
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Sickle cell disease is a disorder of the red blood cells, which supply oxygen to all the organs.
Because sickle cell disease occurs in the blood, every organ in the body can be affected.
Antibiotic Changes Life Expectancy
The antibiotic penicillin is life-saving.
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People with sickle cell disease are at increased risk of serious bacterial infections.
People who menstruate and have sickle cell disease may also have shorter cycles and abnormal bleeding.
Treatments Are Available
There is more than pain medication for treating sickle cell disease.
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These therapies are allowing people with sickle cell disease to live longer lives with fewer complications.
Multiple research studies are ongoing to find additional treatment options.
The modified cells are resistant to sickling, which reduces symptoms of sickle cell disease.
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Sometimes types of donors, like unrelated individuals or parents, are used but mostly in clinical research studies.
In the coming years, gene therapy looks like a promising treatment.
Summary
Sickle cell disease affects millions of people around the world.
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For example, white people can get sickle cell disease.
There are treatments for sickle cell disease and in some cases, it can be cured.
One or both parents can pass a sickle cell gene.
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A parent’s sex doesn’t make this any more or less likely.
Sickle cell disease and its treatments can affect fertility in men and women.
A man with sickle cell disease is more likely to have fertility problems.
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It might be more difficult for them to help conceive a child, but it’s not impossible.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sickle cell disease.
American Society of Hematology.Sickle Cell Disease.
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Food and Drug Administration.Casgevy.
Food and Drug Administration.Lyfgenia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Incidence of Sickle Cell Trait in the US.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).About sickle cell disease.
Smith-Whitley.Reproductive issues in sickle cell disease.Hematology.
2014;2014(1):418-424. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2014.1.418
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