Question: why does sickle cell anemia cause low red blood cell count?
Answer: People with sickle cell disease have abnormal hemoglobin, called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. If your child has sickle cell disease, her red blood cells do not last as long because the sickle hemoglobin damages them. This means your child has fewer red blood cells than normal, a condition called anemia.