People with sickle cell disease start to have signs of the disease during the first year of life, usually around 5 months of age. Learn more about the signs ➡ WorldSickleCellDay
Blood transfusions are used to treat severe anemia. A sudden worsening of anemia resulting from infection or enlargement of the spleen is a common reason for a transfusion. Multiple blood transfusions, however, might cause health problems because of the iron content of blood. Iron overload, called hemosiderosis, can damage liver, heart, pancreas and other organs, leading to diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
Because bacteria in some foods can be especially harmful to children with SCD, food should be prepared safely. Vaccines can protect against harmful infections. Children with SCD should get all regular childhood vaccines, plus a few extra. Adults should have the flu vaccine every year, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine and any others recommended by a doctor.See a tip sheet on how to help prevent infection »Infections are treated with antibiotic medicines and sometimes blood transfusions.
A person who is on bed rest or has recently had surgery can use an incentive spirometer, also called “blow bottle,” to help prevent acute chest syndrome.Depending on the cause, treatment might include oxygen, medicine to treat an infection, medicine to open up airways to improve air, and blood transfusions.This can be life-threatening and should be treated in a hospital. It happens when a large number of sickle cells get trapped in the spleen and cause it to suddenly get large.
Parents of a child with SCD should learn how to feel and measure the size of their child’s spleen and seek help if the spleen is enlarged.For those who have had a very severe, life-threatening episode of splenic sequestration or who have had many episodes in the past, it might be necessary to have regular blood transfusions or the spleen can be removed to stop it from happening again.Treatment typically is a blood transfusion.
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