Sickle cell anemia causes

How Does Sickle Cell Cause Disease? last revised April 11, 2002 How Does Sickle Cell Cause Disease? The Mutation in Hemoglobin Sickle cell disease is a blood condition seen most commonly in people of African ancestry and in the tribal peoples of Schematic Represntation of the Amino Acid Substitution in Sickle Cell Disease Figure 1. The chain of colored boxes represent the first eight amino acids in the beta chain of hemoglobin. The sixth position in the normal beta chain has glutamic acid, while sickle beta chain has valine. This is the sole difference between the two. The molecule, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), is the fundamental genetic material that determines the arrangement of the amino acid building blocks in all proteins. Segments of DNA that code for particular proteins are called genes. The gene that controls the production of the beta globin subunit of hemoglobin is located on one of the 46 human chromosomes (chromosome #11). People have twenty-two identical chromosome pairs (the twenty-third pair is the unlike X and Y chromosomes that determine a person's sex). One of each pair is inherited from the father, and one from the mother. Occasionally, a gene is altered in the exchange between parent and offspring. This event, called mutation, occurs extremely rarely. Therefore, the If only one of the beta globin genes is the "sickle" gene and the other is normal, the person is a carrier for sickle cell disease. The condition is called Sickle cell disease cannot be caug...

All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Our MedicalReview Board includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, doulas, lactation counselors, endocrinologists, fertility specialists and more. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading.Learn more about | October 5, 2021 Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that can lead to serious complications in babies and children. The good news: Early diagnosis and treatment can protect kids’ health so they can feel their best and do the things they love. Here's what parents should know about sickle cell anemia and other types of sickle cell disease (SCD) in young children. What is sickle cell anemia? Sickle cell anemia is a congenital form of anemia, and the most common type of sickle cell disease. It’s the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting around 2,000 babies annually. Normally, red blood cells are flexible and round, but when children have sickle cell anemia, these cells become stiff, sticky and fragile, and their appearance is crescent-shaped (or in the shape of the letter “C”). This type of cell gets stuck in the small blood vessels, blocking blood flow and slowing or depriving the body of oxygen. Red blood cells of people with sickle cell anemia only live for 7 to 20 days, compared to 120 days for red blood cells of healthy people. This shortened lifespan mea...