Sickle cell disease Health, Medicine, Nursing Research Paper (Research Paper Sample)

Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Hematologic Disorders
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Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Sickle Cell Disease
   Sickle cell anaemia is caused by the substitution of glutamic acid for valine at position 6 in the Hb. This is caused by an autosomal recessive gene (both parents must have the gene) in the beta chain of haemoglobin leading to the production of HbS. When only one parent has the recessive gene and the other parent has abnormal haemoglobin e.g. HbSB-thal or HbSC other forms of the sickle cell disease may develop (Sickle cell anaemia, 2018) When only one parent has the recessive gene and the other is healthy, the child becomes a carrier of the disease. Haemoglobin cell belonging to a person suffering from Sickle cell disease is shaped liked a crescent. This is associated with lifelong morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Its symptoms include anaemia, pain, swelling of limbs, visual impairment, stunted growth and infections.