Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia - abnormally shaped red blood cells that are shaped like a sickle (or crescent). Hard and sticky, sickle cells don't move easily through blood vessels. They get stuck, blocking blood flow to limbs and organs causing pain, organ damage, and a low blood count (anemia).anemia

Normal red blood cells are smooth and round like a doughnut without a hole. They move easily through blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

The sickle-shaped red blood cells tend to get stuck in blood vessels, blocking the flow of blood.

Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disorder that mostly affects people of African ancestry, but also occurs in other ethnic groups, including people who are of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent.

Sickle cell anemia occurs when a person inherits two abnormal genes (one from each parent) that cause their red blood cells to change shape.blood

The map indicates current distribution of indigenous malaria according to WHO

Red Cell Defenses Against Malaria Membrane Duffy antigen null Melanesian Elliptocytosis Hemoglobin Hemoglobin S Hemoglobin C Hemoglobin E ß-thalassemia a-thalassemia Red cell enzymes G-6-PD deficiency