1. Sickle Cell Disease
Cheryl Bitting

2. What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells
People with SCD have blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin*S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin
There are several types of SCD: the most common are Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) and Sickle Hemoglobin C disease (SC)

3. What’s the problem with Sickle Cells?
Sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, allowing less blood to reach different parts of the body
Abnormal blood flow damages tissue causing the complications of SCD

4. What happens in the body?
Organ or tissue involved
Problem
Kidney
bed-wetting, blood in the urine, kidney failure
Hands & Feet
Swelling and pain
Spleen
increased risk for serious infections Splenic sequestration (large amount of body's blood pooled in the spleen)
Lungs
Pneumonia, Acute chest syndrome
Skin
Slow - healing sores on legs and ankles
Bones
Infection, Bone damage
Brain
Stroke, Headache
Penis
Painful unexpected erection
Eyes
Vision problems
Liver
Increased size, Gallstones, Gives yellow color to eyes and skin

5. What is a sickle cell crisis?
A sickle cell crisis happens when sickled red blood cells block small blood vessels that carry blood to the bones.
This causes pain that can begin suddenly and last several hours to several days. The person might have pain in their back, knees, legs, arms, chest or stomach.
The pain can be throbbing, sharp, dull or stabbing.
How often and how bad the pain gets varies a lot from person to person and from crisis to crisis.

6. What is the treatment or cure for SCD?
The only cure for Sickle Cell Disease is bone marrow transplants, but it is risky and has lots of complications
Some promising treatments: hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, pain relievers, etc.
Young children under 5 years take penicillin twice daily to prevent pneumonia.

7. Who is affected by Sickle Cell Disease?
SCD affects approximately 72,000 people in the US
Predominantly African-American (1 in 500 births)
Hispanic Americans (1 in births)
SCD is also present in Portuguese, Spanish, French Corsicans, Sardinians, Sicilians, mainland Italians, Greeks, Turks, and Cypriots. Sickle Cell Disease also appears in African countries, Middle Eastern countries and Asia.

8. What should a teacher do?
Be informed about Sickle Cell Disease
Anticipate more missed school days
Allow extra water and bathroom breaks
Pay attention to temperature control
Be aware of the need to rest
Don’t assume lesser intelligence
Student may need special services
Know the symptoms of strokes

9. What are the symptoms of strokes?
Sickle cell disease is one of the few conditions that can cause stroke
(brain injury) in children. Notify the child's family at once if any of the following symptoms appear without another explanation:
Difficulty with memory
Difficulty using a hand, a leg, or one side of the face due to muscle weakness
Numbness or tingling
Difficulty with balance
Difficulty with vision or hearing
Difficulty speaking or understanding what other people are saying
Unusual headache

10. For more information:
Duke Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
Sickle Cell Disease: A Resource for the Educator
NC Sickle Syndrome Program
Dr. Spock - Understanding Sickle Cell Disease: Instructions for Teachers
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc