What is Sickle Cell

Masanga Center Foundation

A Mother's Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease
What is ‘Sickle Cell Disease’

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorders. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move freely through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. For someone with SCD, the red blood cells are C-shaped or “sickle” and become hard, sticky, and do not flow through blood vessels easily. These ‘sickled’ cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, as they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and block the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious problems such infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke.

 

 

What is ‘Sickle Cell Trait’

If both parents have SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance that any child of theirs also will have SCT, if the child inherits the sickle cell gene from one of the parents. Such children will not have symptoms of SCD, but they can pass SCT on to their children. If both parents have SCT, there is a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that any child of theirs will have SCD. There is the same 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCD or SCT.

 

 

 

A World Crisis

It is estimated more than 300,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease worldwide each year. About 50,000 of these newborn babies are born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Despite being the most prevalent genetic disease in the world, sickle cell is still the most ignored diseases in the world. We at the Masanga Center would like to change this.
The only potential cure for sickle cell disease is bone marrow or stem cell transplant which is expensive, very risky, and has serious side effects, including death. The bone marrow donor must be a close-match to the recipient. Even siblings without the sickle cell trait are not guaranteed to match.
As a result, treatment for sickle cell anemia is usually focused on avoiding crises, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications.

 

 

 

Statistics

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions of people throughout the world and is particularly common among those whose ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa; Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
The exact number of people living with SCD in the U.S. and the world is unknown. However, it is estimated more than 300,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease worldwide each year. Despite being the most prevalent genetic disease in the world, sickle cell is still the most ignored disease in the world. While 75 percent of all patients with SCD live in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria alone accounts for more than 100,000 new births every year. Follow by Democratic of Congo with more 40,000 to 50,000 newborn babies with the sickle cell disease each year.
SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT)

Myths about Sickle Cell

Sickle cell is a contagious communicable disease. FALSE: A person cannot “catch” sickle cell disease from another person, like one would catch a cold or the flu. SCD can ONLY be inherited from parents. It is a genetic disease that is a part of a person’s DNA profile.
Sickle cell disease is an African disease, affecting only people in Africa and their descendants. FALSE: SCD is widespread, affecting many races and ethnicities including Hispanics, Asians, Indians and people of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent.
The life expectancy of people with SCD is very short. FALSE: In the past, sickle cell patients often died from organ failure, infection and other complications at an early age. However, today, people with SCD can live past 60, thanks to modern treatments. Consistent treatment, a healthy diet, and dietary supplements can produce a favorable and productive life expectancy.