Sickle cell anemia is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. Therefore, individuals are born with sickle cell anemia rather than acquiring it at a certain age.
If one represents a sickle cell gene thus "C" and a normal gene thus "O" then both parents are: Mum CO Dad CO The possibilities for their children are therefore CC OO CO CO in those proportion so 1in 4 will have sickle cell anaemia, 2 in 4 will be carriers (like their parents) and 1/4 will be normal.
You would use the procedure code 38101 for a partial splenectomy regardless of the age of the patient or the diagnosis of sickle cell disease.
Approximately 11% of individuals with sickle cell disease will have a recognizable stroke by the age of 20
Recessively, that means that both parents must be symptomless carriers then there is only a 1 in 4 chance that a given child will be born with the disease. Note: symptomless carriers have the strong advantage of being much more likely to survive malaria than "normals". Sickle cell disease is inherited through a single pair of genes (one gene from each parent), on chromosome 11. They must receive the gene from both parents in order to actually get sickle cell disease. If they receive one gene for sickle cell disease from one parent but a normal gene from another, they have "sickle cell trait." The genes that involve sickle cell control the production of hemoglobin (a protein) in red blood cells. Abnormal hemoglobin from sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to grow incorrectly. Persons with sickle cell trait are much more resistant to malaria (a common disease in Africa, where the gene originated) than persons having two normal genes. This makes the sickle cell gene very likely to persist in areas where malaria is endemic, like Africa.
Children with sickle cell anemia may have delayed growth and reach puberty at a later age than normal
fifteen to the age of sixteen.
It is important to note that sickle-cell anemia comes in two forms. The homozygous sickle-cell anemia and the heterozygous sickle-cell trait. The difference between the two is that sickle-cell anemia has a high rate death rate at a young age (20~), and the sickle-cell trait is nearly asymptomatic.In regions such as North America, sickle-cell anemia would be selected against and would eventually leave the gene pool. The sickle-cell trait on the other hand, has little effect on the fitness of the organism, and as such will remain in the gene pool.In malaria endemic regions such as sub-Sahara Africa, sickle-cell anemia provides very high levels of immunity to malaria and the sickle-cell trait provides a slightly lesser level of immunity. Both forms of sickle-cell will increase the organisms fitness and as such, it will remain in the gene pool. Further on, the sickle-cell trait has greater fitness than sickle-cell anemia, hence, the sickle-cell trait will be selected as the fittest allele.If s is the sickle-cell allele and S is a normal allele;The relative fitness in malaria endemic regions;Ss > ss > SSSickle-cell trait > Sickle-cell anemia > NormalThe relative fitness in non-malaria endemic regions;SS > Ss > ssNormal > Sickle-cell trait > Sickle-cell anemia
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Sickle cell anemia is a genetic problem so you are born with it. Initially babies make a different kind of hemoglobin (fetal hemoglobin) and so do not have problems right away. Usually by 6-12 month s of age they are making the sickle hemoglobin and can start to have problems.
What is sickle cell disease?Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that become hard and pointed instead of soft and round. Sickle cells cause anemia, pain and many other problems.Top2) What is sickle cell trait?If you have sickle cell trait, you have inherited the gene for sickle cell disease. Sickle cell trait does not turn into sickle cell disease. If someone has sickle cell trait and his partner has sickle cell trait they may produce a child with sickle cell disease. There are about 2.5 million people in America with sickle cell trait.Top3) If sickle cell trait is not an illness, why are people tested?Babies are tested to see if they have sickle cell disease. Teens and adults are tested mainly to see if they can have a baby with the disease.Top4) What medical problems are caused by sickle cell disease?Lung tissue damage, pain episodes and stroke. The blockage of blood flow caused by sickled cells also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver.Top5) How many people have sickle cell disease?Sickle cell disease is a global health problem. In the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people have sickle cell disease. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year in America.Top6) How long does a person with sickle cell disease live?The average life expectancy in America has improved. It is now in the mid 40 years of age range.Top7) Are people of African descent the only group affected?No. It is also present in Portuguese, Spanish, French Corsicans, Sardinians, Sicilians, mainland Italians, Greeks, Turks and Cypriots. Sickle cell disease also appears in Middle Eastern countries and Asia.Top8) Is there a cure?There is no universal cure for sickle cell disease. Research in gene therapy, the ultimate universal cure, is currently underway.Top9) What are some promising treatment developments?The use of hydroxyurea has shown promising results on some adult sickle cell patients. It reduces the frequency of severe pain, acute chest syndrome and the need for blood transfusions.Top10) Can people with sickle cell disease live a productive life?Yes. But like all patients with chronic disease, sickle cell patients are best managed in a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program of care and a strong extended support system.
Yes, as long as the child is a minor they can not choose where to live.