At the same time, sickle-cell patients are in continuous state of hyperdynamic circulation and consequently exhibit systolic murmurs. Sickle cells also tend to become trapped and destroyed in the liver and in the spleen. This result in a shortage of red blood cells called anemia which causes the patient to be pale, easily tired, and short of breath. Complications such as infection worsen a patient's anemi by speeding up destruction of red blood cells or reducing red blood cell production. Infants and young children with sickle-cell disease are especially vulnerable to severe bacterial infections, such as meningitis and pneumonia.
Infections are actually the leading cause of death in children with sickle-cell disease.
In most cases the patients, mostly children, require regular blood transfusions and iron chelation a as part of their treatment. Sometimes the sickle-cells get stuck in tiny blood vessels, and they pile up and block the blood vessels. This action cuts off the blood supply to nearby tissues so that no cells can get through to bring oxygen to them. Without oxygen, offcours, the area starts to hurt. This is indeed the source of pain felt by patients suffering from sickle-cell disease.