The overall incidence is eight out of 100,000 people. However, it is more common in some populations, affecting one out of 600 African Americans and one out of 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic Americans. Because people with sickle trait were more likely to survive malaria outbreaks in Africa than those with normal hemoglobin, it is believed that genetically aberrant hemoglobin evolved as a protection against malaria. Although this disease is inherited and present at birth, symptoms usually don't occur until after 4 months of age. Blocked blood vessels and damaged organs can cause acute painful episodes.
Some patients have one episode every few years, while others have many episodes per year.
The crises can be severe enough to require admission to the hospital for pain control and intravenous fluids. Many manifestations of this disease are a result of the fragility and inflexibility of the sickle red blood cells. When patients experience dehydration , infection, and low oxygen supply, these fragile red blood cells assume a crescent shape, causing red blood cell destruction and thickening of the blood. Prevention Return to top Sickle cell anemia can only result when two carriers with sickle cell trait have a child together. Prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is also available.