Sickle Cell PP

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Tina Thompson, Ashley Scott, Araceli Galindo, Roshanda
Dixon,
Kristen Wyatt, Kimberly Dennis

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?
 Sickle cell anemia is a severe

hemolytic anemia resulting in a sickle shaped hemoglobin molecule.
It is an inherited disorder with some having sickle cell trait and some having sickle cell disease. The sickle hemoglobin gene is known as the
HbS gene. It is found predominantly in people of African descent and occasionally in those of
Mediterranean descent.

Pathophysiology
 The defective hemoglobin molecule assumes a sickle

shape when it is exposed to low oxygen tension. These long, rigid red blood cells then become lodged in the small vessels and obstruct blood flow. If ischemia or infarction results, the patient may have pain, swelling, and fever .

 The sickling process takes time, if the erythrocyte is

again exposed to adequate oxygen, prior to the membrane becoming too rigid, it may revert to normal shape. This is why “sickling crises” are intermittent. Physical Effects
 Easily fatigued (NHS, 2015).
 Tissue and bone damage can occur

(NHS, 2015).
 Organ failure can occur (NHS, 2015).
 High risk infections (NHS, 2015).
 Painful episodes (Crisis ) mild to severe (NHS, 2015).

Sexual Effects
 Delayed growth (NCBI, 2013).
 Late sexual maturation (NCBI,

2013).
 Difficulty sustaining marital relationships (NCBI, 2013).
 Low esteem (NCBI, 2013).
 Lack of control over the treatments
(NCBI, 2013).

Prenatal care/Childbearing
 Painful events (CHKD, 2014).
 Pre-existing diseases may worsen even may
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

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worsen (CHKD, 2014).
Frequent UTIs (CHKD, 2014).
Lower amounts of oxygen going to the fetus and slowed fetal growth (CHKD, 2014).
Heart enlargement and failure from anemia
(CHKD,2014).
Gall bladder problems including gallstones
(CHKD, 2014).
Death (CHKD, 2014).

Prenatal care/Childbearing
Cont.
 Severe anemia (CHKD, 2014).
 Miscarriage (CHKD, 2014).
 Preterm birth (CHKD, 2014).
 Low birthweight

References: 4, 2015, from http:// sct.screening.nhs.uk/physical-effects-of-sickle  Figueiredo, M. (2013, January 1). Sexuality and sickle cell disease Retrieved March 4, 2015, from http:// www.chkd.org/Patients-and-Families/Health-Library/Co