Why sickle cell anemia is in african americans

There is no single best treatment for all people with sickle cell disease. Treatment options are different for each person depending on their symptoms. However, only about 1 in 4 patients with sickle cell disease receive the standard of care described in current guidelines, and many studies have shown that patients do not receive treatment for their pain as soon as, or in appropriate doses as, other patients.

Currently, the only cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. However, these treatment options come with serious risks, require a close donor match like a sibling and are only used in severe cases. The goal of this initiative is to advance the development of new gene- and cell-based therapies for sickle cell disease within the next five to 10 years. See the NIH map of privately and publicly funded clinical studies around sickle cell disease in the U.

View Journal. View brief. There have been important strides made in caring for people living with sickle cell disease. Family Life. Health Issues. Tips and Tools. Our Mission. Find a Pediatrician. Text Size. Question Can biracial children get sickle cell disease? Answer Article Main Image.

What's the difference between sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait? How do I know if my child has sickle cell disease? The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. Follow Us. People whose ancestors are from other regions where malaria was common are also at a higher risk of inheriting SCD or SCT, including people of:.

Based on information collected in 13 states , the U. People with SCD have abnormally shaped hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to bodily tissues. SCD affects cells so that they become crescent- or sickle-shaped instead of being rounded, and they become less rigid than those in people without the condition. In those with SCD, the shape and rigidness of affected hemoglobin make red blood cells less flexible. Without this malleability, these cells are more likely to get stuck in blood vessels, obstructing blood flow.

SCD symptoms vary between individuals and depend on the severity of the condition. Early signs of SCD and their most common symptoms include:. Sickle cell disease usually presents in babies at birth. However, many newborns do not experience symptoms until they are 5—6 months old. Early diagnosis is critical to treat SCD effectively and reduce the risk of complications.

Currently, all babies born in the U. Sickle cell trait, also known as SCT, is an inherited blood disorder that affects approximately 8 percent of African Americans. Unlike SCD, in which patients have two genes that cause the production of abnormal hemoglobin, individuals with SCT carry out only one defective gene and typically live normal lives without health problems related to sickle cell.

Rarely, extreme conditions such as severe dehydration and high-intensity physical activity can lead to serious health issues, including sudden death in individuals with sickle cell trait. This is simply because they both are evolutionary traits that individuals develop in response to help protect them from malaria. Unfortunately there is no cure for SCD, however research shows that a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant can help. If successful, a bone marrow transplant can cure sickle cell disease, however that comes with very significant risks if the patient is older.

Multiple Myeloma also known as MM, is a cancer of plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.