The healthy red blood cells in the healthy individual distribute oxygen to the entire body. Children who have the trait have a deficiency of these healthy cells. Fortunately, they are helped by sickle cell charities for children with health and other care.
The pain can be lessened although there is no available cure. Signs can appear at the age of four months old. They are fatigue, pain, swelling in the extremities and a loss of vision.
Sometimes these symptoms are not diagnosed until later in childhood. When a child has severe abdominal pain or swelling, yellowish skin or eye color or symptoms of a stroke, it indicates an emergency situation. Look for paralysis on one side of the body or face because those are indications of a stroke.
When only the mother or father has this gene, the child will not have it. A baby who shows the symptoms will have two parents who carry the gene. When both parents have it, if the baby does not show evidence of the disease, he or she may still be a carrier, capable of transmitting it if she or he grows up and becomes a parent.
This defective gene affects people of Hispanic or black ethnicity. They are from the Mediterranean, South or Central America, Africa or India. Whatever symptoms the child exhibits may be severe.
It can result in the death of the stricken infant or child. Watch for symptoms of a stroke, which occurs when the dysfunctional red blood cells block the flow of blood to the brain. Numbness in the arms and legs will be noticeable. Speech disorders may become evident.
Another possible concern is high blood pressure in the lungs indicating pulmonary hypertension. The baby or child will be short of breath. The breathing pattern will be labored.
The lungs can be affected by high blood pressure. Shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties may develop. The child may have pulmonary hypertension.
Major organs can shut down as a result of lack of sufficient blood flow. This deprives them of adequate oxygen. In many cases, a fatality will be the end result.
Blindness is another possible result. The disease can cause obstruction of the tiny blood vessels that take oxygen to the eyes. Vision can be lost completely. Gallstones may develop in the gall bladder because of an abnormal increase in the bilirubin level.
There are charitable organizations that serve the needs of children with sickle cell anemia. Medical doctors specializing in hematology, blood disorders, treat them. Specially trained nurses provide care. Stem cell transplanting surgery is now an emerging development that is used.
One medical hospital has been involved in research into this disease since 1962. Research grants fund this research. Donations from individuals and organizations add to the funding. The hospital does not charge for treatment of the children.
Prevention of this genetic disorder is the only way to eradicate it. Potential parents will need to undergo testing for the gene prior to having children. Those who are carriers can decide to abstain from having babies who might be born to suffer. There is always a high risk factor if both prospective parents carry the gene.
The pain can be lessened although there is no available cure. Signs can appear at the age of four months old. They are fatigue, pain, swelling in the extremities and a loss of vision.
Sometimes these symptoms are not diagnosed until later in childhood. When a child has severe abdominal pain or swelling, yellowish skin or eye color or symptoms of a stroke, it indicates an emergency situation. Look for paralysis on one side of the body or face because those are indications of a stroke.
When only the mother or father has this gene, the child will not have it. A baby who shows the symptoms will have two parents who carry the gene. When both parents have it, if the baby does not show evidence of the disease, he or she may still be a carrier, capable of transmitting it if she or he grows up and becomes a parent.
This defective gene affects people of Hispanic or black ethnicity. They are from the Mediterranean, South or Central America, Africa or India. Whatever symptoms the child exhibits may be severe.
It can result in the death of the stricken infant or child. Watch for symptoms of a stroke, which occurs when the dysfunctional red blood cells block the flow of blood to the brain. Numbness in the arms and legs will be noticeable. Speech disorders may become evident.
Another possible concern is high blood pressure in the lungs indicating pulmonary hypertension. The baby or child will be short of breath. The breathing pattern will be labored.
The lungs can be affected by high blood pressure. Shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties may develop. The child may have pulmonary hypertension.
Major organs can shut down as a result of lack of sufficient blood flow. This deprives them of adequate oxygen. In many cases, a fatality will be the end result.
Blindness is another possible result. The disease can cause obstruction of the tiny blood vessels that take oxygen to the eyes. Vision can be lost completely. Gallstones may develop in the gall bladder because of an abnormal increase in the bilirubin level.
There are charitable organizations that serve the needs of children with sickle cell anemia. Medical doctors specializing in hematology, blood disorders, treat them. Specially trained nurses provide care. Stem cell transplanting surgery is now an emerging development that is used.
One medical hospital has been involved in research into this disease since 1962. Research grants fund this research. Donations from individuals and organizations add to the funding. The hospital does not charge for treatment of the children.
Prevention of this genetic disorder is the only way to eradicate it. Potential parents will need to undergo testing for the gene prior to having children. Those who are carriers can decide to abstain from having babies who might be born to suffer. There is always a high risk factor if both prospective parents carry the gene.
About the Author:
Read more about Sickle Cell Charities For Children Will Help Families With Free Medical Care.
