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The History of Sickle Cell

Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder that is present at birth. Healthy blood cells are round and can move through tiny blood vessels easily, while carrying oxygen to the body. However, a person diagnosed with Sickle Cell will have red blood cells shaped like a sickle or a crescent moon. These rigid and sticky cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, resulting in blocked blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body. When these sickled blood cells become stuck, it causes severs pain called crisis to the body. The parts of the body that does not receive normal blood flow will become damaged.

The history of the disease dates back to the 1870s in Africa. A doctor name Linus Pauling was the first to demonstrate that Sickle Cell disease occurs as a result of an abnormality in the red blood cells. The disease can affect any race or ethnicity. Women who are diagnosed are more likely to have problems during pregnancy. Pain episodes called crisis, can be severe and may occur more often. Pregnant women will have a higher risk of preterm labor, having a low birth weight baby or other complications.