SICKLE CELL SYMPTOMS & CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

How do you know one has Sickle Cell just by looking at them? How does Sickle Cell Disease look like?

I could say, jaundiced (yellow) eyes/skin, small physical stature, swollen abdomens etc. . But to truthfully answer your question, there is no particular way to tell if someone has Sickle Cell by just looking at them. Unless you're a keen observer and are very versed in the knowledge of Sickle Cell and its symptoms. Sickle Cell has no particular face.

Well, since it has no particular identifier, like any disease, there are definitely certain symptoms to look out for if you have Sickle Cell. Granted that human beings are different in there physiological make-up, these symptoms vary from one individual to the next. This means that, not everyone with Sickle Cell will exhibit the same symptoms. Different people may only experience a few or even in some cases none at all. In very rare cases does one person exhibit all of the symptoms.

Sickle Cell Symptoms

These clinical manifestations and symptoms result from changes of red blood cell deformability and fragility, increases in blood viscosity with blockage of small blood vessels, and red cell membrane changes contributing to hemoglobin polymerization(clumping), adherence of red blood cells to interior surface of blood vessels, and ingestion of foreign material by white blood cells. The end result is a hemolytic anemia, increased incidence of serious infection, and ischemic damage (damage caused by restriction of blood supply) throughout the body. In individuals with Sickle syndromes, there is a life-long risk of having complications,  however, there are specific ages when many of the manifestations develop. The more common problems in Sickle Cell syndromes will be presented by the age usual onset.

Early Symptoms
The majority of infants are being diagnosed at birth by newborn screening. The symptoms occurring in the first few months of life in infants with sickle cell syndromes are non-specific and include jaundice, irritability, colic, failure to thrive, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Findings include hepatosplenomegaly (simultaneous enlargement of live and spleen), pallor (unhealthy pale appearance), and heart murmurs. Unfortunately, undiagnosed infants may present with overwhelming infection as the first manifestation of the illness in the first few months of life.

Other Symptoms

• Anemia
• Sequestration Episode
• Aplastic Episode
• Infections
• Dactylitis : The Hand-Foot Syndrome
• Strokes
• Priapism
• Growth & Development
• Pain : Acute and Chronic Pain
• Retinopathy
• Nephropathy
• Pulmonary Complications
• Leg Ulcers 

In the next couple of weeks we will discuss each of the different symptomatic expressions of Sickle Cell. We will go into the causes of said symptom and how to manage the symptom.These are the most common symptoms which occur in many recorded cases. Personally, I have experienced very few of the symptoms above and also other symptoms that are not on the list. I'll be sure to give a brief on my experiences as we go through each of the symptom.

Sickle Cell Clinical Manifestations 

Have you experienced any of the symptoms above? Let me know your experience and how you were able to manage it. And if you feel I have missed something, comment below and let me know what I need to add onto the list.


Love Life!
Lea