Sickle cell anemia can cause a wide array of serious health complications. Be sure you know what signs to look for. Sickle cell anemia can cause a broad array of complications, some which are medical emergencies requiring immediate treatment . If you or your child has sickle cell anemia, talk to your doctor about the signs and symptoms that may point to a serious problem. Acute chest syndrome Acute chest syndrome is similar to pneumonia, in which the lungs fill up with fluid. Symptoms include fever, rapid breathing, chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. There are a few possible causes of acute chest syndrome, including: Lung infection Fat embolism (a globule of fat in the bloodstream) that blocks blood vessels in the lungs A buildup of sickle cells in the small blood vessels of the lungs Acute chest syndrome is the leading cause of death from sickle cell anemia in the United States, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Delayed Growth Delayed Growth and Puberty Delayed growth and delayed puberty are common among children with sickle cell anemia. Adults with sickle cell anemia often tend to be smaller than average.
Eye Issues Eye Problems Sickle cells can plug up the tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes, damaging the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye, and potentially causing blindness.
Gallstones Gallstones The breakdown of red blood cells produces a substance called bilirubin, and a high level of bilirubin in your body can lead to gallstones — hard masses that form in the gallbladder. Gallstones can cause pressure, pain, and nausea if they get stuck in the common bile duct. People with sickle cell anemia often have a high bilirubin level because sickled red blood cells are broken down after 10 to 20 days — versus 120 days for normal red blood cells.
Hand & Foot Hand-and-foot syndrome In young children, blockages in blood flow frequently occur in the small bones of the hands and feet, causing acute, painful swelling.
Infection Infections People with sickle cell anemia have a higher-than-normal risk for infection for several reasons, including: The sickle gene itself makes people more susceptible to infection. The spleen, which normally helps to fight infection, gets damaged by sickle red blood cells and does not work normally. Any infection in a child with sickle cell anemia is considered an emergency.
Jaundice Jaundice Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Jaundice results from the excess of bilirubin caused by the rapid destruction of sickle cells.
Organ Failure Multiple Organ Failure Acute multi-organ failure is a rare but life-threatening complication that may occur during a sickle cell crisis. Multiple organ failure is treated with blood transfusion therapy.
Priapism Priapism If sickle cells block the blood vessels in the penis, the result can be priapism — a painful, long-lasting erection. Priapism can cause serious damage to the penis and result in impotence. Men experiencing priapism should seek medical attention immediately.
Hypertension Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to the lungs. It occurs in about 30 percent of adults with sickle cell anemia, according to the National Library of Medicine, and it can be fatal. Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath with everyday activities, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting spells.
Spleen Splenic Sequestration Splenic sequestration is an acute condition in which large amounts of blood build up in the spleen, causing the spleen to enlarge, sometimes enormously. It is seen most commonly in children and is potentially life threatening.
Stroke Stroke A stroke can occur if sickle cells block blood flow to an area of the brain. Strokes usually cause such symptoms as: Difficulty speaking Weakness on one side of the body Facial droop Visual problems Loss of coordination Headache Sleepiness Seizure However, it’s also possible to have a “silent stroke” that doesn’t cause the usual symptoms but can have lasting effects on the brain. Long-term effects of stroke can include: Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body Problems with speech and language Changes in the ability to think or remember Personality changes According to the Internet Stroke Center, stroke occurs in 17 to 24 percent of children with sickle cell anemia, most often between the ages of 3 and 10. Adults with sickle cell anemia are also at risk for stroke. Children at risk of stroke can be monitored with a type of imaging study called transcranial Doppler ultrasound. If abnormalities are found, the doctor may recommend a blood transfusion.
Ulcers Ulcers on the Legs Leg ulcers — non-healing or slowly healing wounds — are a fairly common complication that can be disabling. They typically occur first around the ankles and can cause severe pain.
Malaria Sickle Cell and Malaria Research suggests that individuals who are sickle cell disease carriers (or who have the sickle cell trait) have some protective advantage against malaria. A study published in 2002 that the sickle cell trait provides 60 percent protection against overall mortality from malaria, and that most of this protection occurs between two and 16 months of life, which is before the onset of clinical immunity in areas with intense transmission of malaria , such as Africa.
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