Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder as well as an inherent blood disorder in which red blood cells become rigid and form crescent shape like a sickle cell. This causes blockage in blood supply and oxygen to the different parts of the body.

It occurs more commonly in people belonging to tropical and sub tropical regions. It causes severe anemia and various complications in the body that shortens the human life.

CAUSES

Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin S. the normal type of hemoglobin is called hemoglobin a. Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. The abnormal hemoglobin destructs the shape of the RBCs especially when the cells are exposed to low oxygen. As a result the RBCs shrink like crescents or sickles and fail to deliver oxygen in the body or delivers inadequate oxygen in the body. The irregular sickled cells can also block blood vessels causing tissue and organ damage and pain in various body parts.