Sickle Cell Disease - What Is Sickle Cell Disease? - NHLBI, NIH
Sickle cell disease affects more than 100,000 people in the United States and 8 million people worldwide. In the United States, 9 of 10 people who have sickle cell disease are of African ancestry or identify as Black: About 1 in 13 Black babies are born with sickle cell trait, meaning that they inherited a sickle cell gene from one parent.

Sickle Cell Disease - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH
People with sickle cell disease inherited two mutations in hemoglobin genes – one from each parent – leading to a faulty hemoglobin protein called hemoglobin S. Sickle cell disease can also occur when a child inherits a hemoglobin S gene from one parent and a gene for a different type of faulty hemoglobin, such as beta (β) thalassemia or ...

Enfermedad de Células Falciformes (Sickle cell disease)
(Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. In this fact sheet, learn about the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of SCD.) Print Length:

Sickle Cell Disease: Research, Programs, and Progress
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of painful and life-threatening genetic disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. It occurs in nearly 100,000 people in the...

Sickle Cell Disease - Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
Serious symptoms of sickle cell disease are emergencies and need treatment right away. Seek care or call 9-1-1 if you or someone else is experiencing: Severe pain. A serious pain event is sometimes called a “pain crisis,” “sickle cell crisis,” or “vaso-occlusive crisis.” Most people with sickle cell disease have this often-serious pain.

Sickle Cell Disease - Treatment | NHLBI, NIH
Providers may also give transfusions when a person with sickle cell disease has had a stroke or an acute chest syndrome or is experiencing multi-organ failure. Intermittent transfusions, given as needed, may help relieve symptoms. People who have sickle cell disease usually receive blood transfusions before surgery to prevent complications.

Sickle Cell Disease - Diagnosis | NHLBI, NIH
Newborn screening programs also find out whether your baby has sickle cell trait and is a carrier of the hemoglobin S gene. If this is the case, genetic counseling will be offered. Remember that when a child has sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease, their future siblings or your child’s future children may be a carrier of the hemoglobin S ...

Sickle Cell Disease Fact Sheet | NHLBI, NIH
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. In this fact sheet, learn about the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of SCD. Print Length:

How Sickle Cell Disease May Affect Your Health - NHLBI, NIH
Eye problems: Sickle cell disease can injure blood vessels in the eye, most often in the retina. This is called sickle retinopathy. Blood vessels in the retina can overgrow, get blocked, or bleed. This can cause the retina to detach, which means it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. These problems can lead to vision loss.

Hydroxyurea Use for Sickle Cell Disease Fact Sheet
Hydroxyurea is an oral medicine that can help reduce sickle cell disease complications. This fact sheet will provide the facts about hydroxyurea, potential benefits and risks, and questions to ask your healthcare provider.