Sickle cell anemia is the most serious form of sickle cell disease (SCD). It occurs when a person inherits an irregular hemoglobin gene from each parent. Certain groups of people are more at risk of developing the condition.

SCD is a group of red blood cell disorders that a person inherits. When a person has SCD, they are born with a genetic mutation that affects the protein hemoglobin. This protein is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.

The affected hemoglobin can cause a person’s red blood cells to form in a crescent or sickle instead of the typical disc shape.

The sickle-shaped blood cells are less flexible and cannot easily move through the blood vessels. This can lead to blockages in the blood vessels and, therefore, a lack of blood flow to the rest of the body. In turn, this can cause serious health conditions such as a stroke.

This article discusses what causes sickle cell anemia and who is most at risk of developing the condition. It also explores symptoms of sickle cell anemia and when a person should speak with a doctor.

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The main risk factor for sickle cell anemia is inheriting mutations of the hemoglobin S or sickle cell gene.

For a person to have sickle cell anemia, they will inherit one sickle cell gene from each parent. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there is a 1 in 4 chance of a person inheriting two sickle cell genes if each parent carries the gene.

If a person inherits only one sickle gene, they will have sickle cell trait (SCT). In other words, they will be carriers of the sickle cell gene.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickle cell anemia is more common in people whose ancestral background is from sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, or the Mediterranean.

In the United States, the prevalence is as follows:

  • Approximately 1 in every 365 Black or African American people are born with sickle cell anemia.
  • Around 1 in 13 Black or African American people are born with SCT.
  • Approximately 1 in every 16,300 Hispanic American people are born with sickle cell anemia.

If a person has sickle cell anemia, it will be present from birth. However, symptoms typically develop from approximately 5–6 months. They can be different for each person and may change over time.

Symptoms of sickle cell anemia can include:

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, sickle cell anemia can cause serious health conditions and typically requires long-term treatment.

If a person with sickle cell anemia experiences ongoing pain, they may want to speak with a doctor about pain management.

Additionally, people with sickle cell anemia have irregular blood flow, which can cause prolonged erections. If an individual has had an erect penis for 4 hours or longer, they should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.

If someone with sickle cell anemia experiences any of the following symptoms, they should seek urgent medical care or call 911 straight away:

Sickle cell anemia is a type of inheritable blood disorder. It affects the hemoglobin in the red blood cells, causing the blood cells to form in the shape of a sickle, which can lead to blockages in the blood vessels. This can limit the amount of oxygen in the body.

A person develops sickle cell anemia by inheriting one sickle cell gene from each parent. People with ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, or the Mediterranean are more at risk of sickle cell anemia.

Symptoms of sickle cell anemia can include fatigue, chronic pain, swelling of the hands and feet, and jaundice. A person should speak with a doctor if they think they may have sickle cell anemia.

If an individual experiences signs of a stroke, chest pain, extreme fatigue, breathlessness, or a high fever, they should seek urgent medical care.