Who gets Sickle Cell Anemia?
It appears that only certain people are at risk for developing the sickle cell birth defect. The disorder tends to affect certain cultures more than others, and you are at increased risk for getting sickle cell anemia if you are: • African American • Hispanic-American • Maltese • Turkish • Italian • Greek • Arabic Sickle cell anemia is most common among African Americans, with about 2 million African Americans carrying the sickle cell trait. Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle cell symptoms tend to vary from person to person. They also tend to increase in severity as you age. Common sickle cell symptoms include: • pain in the stomach, legs, and arms • chest pain • jaundice • extreme fatigue • growth problems • frequent illness and infection Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle cell anemia is a very dangerous illness because it is associated with so many complications. These complications can be life threatening and require immediate attention from your health care professional.
