PHYS P20 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Fetal Hemoglobin, Genetic Disorder, Hydroxycarbamide
3 Dec 2018
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Document Summary
Sickle cell anemia is a global public health disorder caused by a genetic condition present at birth. Healthy red blood cells move through small blood vessels to transport oxygen throughout the body, and are circular in shape. Whereas with sickle cell anemia, red blood cells form a c- shaped farm tool called a sickle , as a result of turning hard and sticky. These sickle cells get stuck and clog blood flow when traveling through small blood vessels and tend to die early, thus producing a constant shortage of red blood cells. This causes serious problems such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke. Sickle cell anemia can be diagnosed with a blood test and is often found at birth through screening tests at hospitals for newborns. It can also be diagnosed before birth too. Infants younger than five months don"t show such symptoms at birth because fetal hemoglobin protects their red blood cells from sickling.
