Sickle cell is an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells.
In Oklahoma, about 1,500 people have the sickle cell disease. Sickle cell trait affects 1 out of 10 African Americans, while the sickle cell disease affects 1 out of every 400 African-Americans. Persons of African, Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean and Middle East descent are most affected. All affected newborns are referred within the first month of life for comprehensive medical care and their parents are provided an extensive educational program on how to keep their infants healthy. The treatment of children less than 5 years of age with daily antibiotics helps prevent infections that could cause severe illness or death.