SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder of the red blood cells. The red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body on a protein called haemoglobin. Normal adults haemoglobin is HbA but sickle cell haemoglobin is Hb S.

What Is The Problem? 

Normal red blood cells with HbA are doughnut shaped, very flexible and move easily  through the blood vessels and block the blood flow to parts of the body thus causing damage.

Who Does It Affect?

The sickle cell gene is found commonly in countries within the malaria belt such as Africa, Mediterranean countries like Turkey and Greece, Asian nations like Central India and Saudi Arabia. Through migration we now find it in the Caribbean, USA, UK and South America.

some information by:-
Dr. Cheryl Alexis
The Specialist Centre
Black Rock, St. Michael, Barbados