What are Sickle Cell Disorders?
Sickle Cell Disorders describes a group of inherited blood disorders which are characterised by anaemia, painful episodes known as ‘crises’ and other complications. The most common among these is known as Sickle Cell Anaemia. Sickle haemoglobin is the result of a genetic change in the beta globin component of normal adult haemoglobin, which causes many of the red blood cells to change into a sickle shape when they release oxygen. These “sickle cells” block the flow of blood in small blood vessels known as capillaries, and the transfer of oxygen round the body is disrupted. Normal red blood cells can survive for about 120 days while sickle cells survive for about 10 – 15 days, again reducing blood flow. The three major types are: Sickle Cell Anaemia Haemoglobin SC Disorder Sickle Beta Thalassaemia This picture shows the blood flow in the capillaries when the red blood cells give up there oxygen and sickling occurs. This can happen in any part of the body, with the result that the crises
