Despite the absence of an effective treatment, life expectancy for individuals with sickle cell anemia has improved, said Bonds, as a result of early identification through neonatal screening, early initiation of penicillin therapy, close medical monitoring, and early intervention to relieve the symptoms of a painful episode. A recent study found that half of all patients with sickle cell anemia survive into their 40s. Rates of early death are highest among those with a severe form of the disease. The more crises you have per year, the greater your chances of dying prematurely. Your organs become more damaged when they are chronically not receiving enough blood and oxygen.
Some people continue to produce fetal hemoglobin throughout their lives.
A study of the life expectancy of people with sickle cell anemia found that adults with high levels of fetal hemoglobin lived longer than those who had low levels. People with sickle cell anemia who suffer strokes or infections, who are pregnant, or who must undergo surgery may be treated with blood transfusions. Risks of this treatment include the possibility of acquiring a viral illness such as hepatitis and the possibility of organ damage caused by iron overload. Sickle cell anemia can be cured by a bone marrow transplant, which replaces the defective red blood cells with healthy cells from a donor. But a transplant is not a realistic option for most people with sickle cell anemia, according to Bonds, because of a shortage of compatible donors and because of the risks presented by the drug regimen that is required to prepare a patient for a transplant.