Sickle cell anemia is a disease characterized by changes in the shape of red blood cells, which are sickle-shaped or crescent-shaped.Because of this change, red blood cells become less able to carry oxygen, as well as increasing the risk of blockage of blood vessels due to the altered shape, which can lead to pain, weakness and apathy.Generalized.
Symptoms of anemia can be controlled with the use of lifelong medications to reduce the risk of complications, but cure is only achieved by transplanting hematopoietic stem cells.
- In addition to common symptoms of any other type of anemia.
- Such as fatigue.
- Paleness.
- And sleep.
- Sickle cellosis can also cause other characteristic symptoms.
- Such as:.
These symptoms usually appear after 4 months of age, but are usually diagnosed in the first few days of life, as long as the newborn examines the baby’s foot.Learn more about testing for the heel bite and diseases it detects.
Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is usually done by testing your baby’s foot in the first few days of life; this test is capable of performing a test called hemoglobin electrophoresis, which verifies the presence of hemoglobin S and its concentration.In fact, if it is found, that the person has a single S gene, that is, the type of hemoglobin AS, means that he carries the sickle cell anemia gene, classified as a sickle cell trait in such cases, the person may have no symptoms, but must be followed by routine laboratory tests.
When the person is diagnosed with HbSS, this means that they have sickle cell anemia and need to be treated according to medical opinion.
In addition to hemoglobin electrophoresis, the diagnosis of this type of anemia can be made by measuring bilirubin associated with the blood formula count in people who have not undergone the heel puncture test and the presence of sickle cell anemia in the form of counterfeiting.the presence of reticulocytes, basophilic movements and hemoglobin value below the normal baseline, usually between 6 and 9.5 g/dL.
The causes of sickle cell anemia are genetic, i.e. born with the child and transmitted from father to child.
This means that every time a person is diagnosed with the disease, they have the SS gene (or Hemoglobin SS) that they inherited from their mother and father.Although parents may seem healthy, if the father and mother have the AS gene (or hemoglobin AS), which indicates the carrier of the disease, also called a sickle cell trait, there is a possibility that the child has the disease (25% chance) or carries (50% chance) of the disease.
Treatment of sickle cell anemia is done through the use of medications and, in some cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
The drugs used are mainly penicillin in children from 2 months to 5 years, to prevent the onset of complications such as pneumonia for example, in addition, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used to relieve pain during a seizure and even use an oxygen mask to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and facilitate breathing.
Treatment for sickle cell anemia should be done for life, as these patients may have frequent infections. Fever can indicate infection, so if a person with sickle cell anemia has a fever, they should seek medical attention immediately, as they can develop sepsis in just 24 hours. , which can be fatal.Anti-fever medications should not be used without medical knowledge.
Além disso, o transplante de medula óssea também é uma forma de tratamento, indicada para alguns casos graves e selecionados pelo médico, podendo vir a curar a doença, entretanto apresenta alguns riscos, como uso de medicamentos que reduzem a imunidade. Saiba como é feito o transplante de medula óssea e possíveis riscos.
As complicações que podem afetar os paciente com anemia falciforme podem ser:
As transfusões de sangue também podem fazer parte do tratamento, para aumentar o número de glóbulos vermelhos na circulação, sendo que apenas o transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas oferece a única cura potencial para a anemia falciforme, porém com poucas indicações devido aos riscos associados ao procedimento.