![]() Unexplained episodes of severe pain, such as pain in the abdomen, chest, bones or joints.People with sickle cell anemia have an increased risk of serious infection, and fever can be the first sign of an infection. If you or your child develops any of the following problems, see your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care: Sickle cell anemia is usually diagnosed in infancy through newborn screening programs. This can damage the retina - the portion of the eye that processes visual images - and lead to vision problems. Tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes can become plugged with sickle cells. A shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers. Red blood cells provide your body with the oxygen and nutrients needed for growth. Doctors commonly give infants and children with sickle cell anemia vaccinations and antibiotics to prevent potentially life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia. Sickle cells can damage your spleen, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood flow to the hands and feet. Some adolescents and adults with sickle cell anemia also have chronic pain, which can result from bone and joint damage, ulcers, and other causes. A severe pain crisis requires a hospital stay. Others have a dozen or more pain crises a year. Some people have only a few pain crises a year. The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few weeks. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. Periodic episodes of pain, called pain crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Without enough red blood cells, your body can't get enough oxygen, causing fatigue.Įpisodes of pain. But sickle cells usually die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. Sickle cells break apart easily and die, leaving you with too few red blood cells. They vary from person to person and change over time. Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 5 months of age. Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU).Hospitalists & Internal Medicine Physicians.
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