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Sickle Cell Anemia

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of genetic red blood cell disorders. Normally, red blood cells are round and flexible. People with sickle cell disease have stiff, C-shaped red blood cells. Some people say these cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. This causes red blood cells to die early and block blood vessels, leading to many serious complications.(1)

Other condition names

  • sickle cell anemia

Inheritance type

Autosomal recessive

Prevalence

  • United States: 1-5 in 10,000
  • Europe: 1-5 in 10,000

Age of Onset

  • All ages

  1. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): What is Sickle Cell Disease? CDC. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/facts.html. Accessed 12/8/2022.

Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on "https://www.orphadata.com". Data version 1.3.16 / 4.1.7.