September Highlights Sickle Cell Disease Awareness

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in Texas call attention to a group of inherited red blood cell disorders known as sickle cell disease, and highlight the importance of early screening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that sickle cell disease affects around 100,000 people in the U.S.

With sickle cell disease, red blood cells become hard and sticky, looking like a C-shaped farm tool called a "sickle." Unlike typical red blood cells that are round, sickle cells have trouble passing through small blood vessels. The shape also blocks typical red blood cells from entering tissue.

Complications of sickle cell disease include anemia, vision loss, chronic pain, infection, blood clots and stroke.

In Texas, approximately one out of every 2,000 newborns has sickle cell disease. The disease gets worse over time, but treatment can decrease complications and improve quality of life.

The symptoms of sickle cell disease usually start when an infant is around 5 months old. An early diagnosis through the Texas Newborn Screening Program can help parents get the information and care needed for their child, according to Dr. Titilope Fasipe, chair of the Texas Sickle Cell Task Force.

"As an individual with sickle cell disease grows up, managing the disease can become very complicated," she said. "Screening newborns allows affected babies to get care sooner to prevent and treat complications."

To screen for sickle cell disease, blood samples are collected from a heel stick 24 to 48 hours after birth and again at 1 to 2 weeks old. The samples are sent to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) laboratory for processing.

To learn more, visit the DSHS and CDC webpages on sickle cell disease.