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An inherited blood disorder which affects the shape of the red blood cells
If a person has Sickle Cell Anemia, the red blood cells change and become pointed, or sickle-shaped
Sickle Cell Anemia may cause severe pain from time to time. This pain is usually in the arms, back, legs, stomach, or joints.
People with Sickle Cell Anemia can lead productive lives by maintaining good health practices.
Number of Black American babies born with Sickle Cell Anemia each year
Sickle Cell Trait is different from Sickle Cell Anemia. A person with Sickle Cell Trait has normal round blood cells.
Number of babies born with Sickle Cell Trait each year
A person does not get sick from having Sickle Cell Trait. The only way to find out if you have the trait is by a special blood test.
If two people with Sickle Cell Trait have children, there is a one in four chance, with each pregnancy, that a baby will be born with Sickle Cell Anemia.
Neither Sickle Cell Trait nor Sickle Cell Anemia can be caught. A person is born with it.
The average life expectancy for a person with Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Anemia is not limited to persons of African American descent.
