Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sickle Cell Disease Latest News

Scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI) recently developed an affordable electro-fluidic device that aids in the preliminary screening of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

About Sickle Cell Disease 

• It is the most common inherited blood disorder that affects your red blood cells (RBCs). 
• It is marked by flawed hemoglobin. 
  • Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells (RBCs) that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body.
• Sickle cell disease interferes with the delivery of oxygen to the tissues.
• How does it affect blood flow?
  • Normally, RBCs are disc-shaped and flexible enough to move easily through the blood vessels.
  • People with this disease have atypical hemoglobin molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort RBCs into a sickle, or crescent, shape.
  • These sickled RBCs do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of the body.
  • It can lead to serious complications including pain, infections, and organ damage and failure. 
  • Additionally, sickle-shaped cells don’t last as long as normal-shaped RBCs, causing a constant shortage of RBCs and leading to anemia.
• What causes it?
  • SCD is caused by a variant (change) in a gene that has instructions for your body to make one part of the hemoglobin. 
  • This changed gene is sometimes called a sickle cell gene. 
  • People with SCD are born with two sickle cell genes, one from each parent.
  • If you are born with one sickle cell gene, it's called sickle cell trait. 
  • People with sickle cell trait are generally healthy, but they can pass the defective gene on to their children.
• Symptoms:
  • Early stage: Extreme tiredness or fussiness from anemia, painfully swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
  • Later stage: Severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections.
• Treatments:
  • A bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) can cure sickle cell disease.
  • However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.
  • Gene therapy is also being explored as another potential cure. 
  • The UK recently became the first country to approve gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Disease FAQs

Q1. What is sickle cell disease (SCD)?

Ans. An inherited blood disorder

Q2. Which component of the blood is primarily affected by sickle cell disease?

Ans. Red blood cells (RBCs)

Q3. What is the function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

Ans. Carry oxygen to tissues

Source: TH