Dr Manju Antil (Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood illness caused by the production of a strange kind of haemoglobin known as Hemoglobin S (HbS) or sickle haemoglobin. This aberrant haemoglobin transforms red blood cells into the sickle, obstructing blood flow to all bodily organs. Normal red blood cells are soft and spherical and may readily flow through blood vessels providing oxygen to all body regions. Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells with S haemoglobin to become stiff and sticky, taking the shape of a C-shaped instrument termed a sickle.'

Colah et al. (2017) reported that India has an estimated 100,000 people with β thalassemia syndrome and around 150,000 patients with sickle cell disease. In 2021, this number may have increased to more than 20 lakhs. According to National Health Mission 1400000 [14 lac], sickle cell patients survive in India.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a congenital severe chronic illness that affects around 400,000 infants born each year, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Brazil, the Middle East, and the diasporic African community. There have been very few empirical studies on the experiences of school-age children with sickle cell disease. A national registry for persons with SCD may be kept.

A Medical View

 Sickle cell disease refers to a haemolytic disorder characterized by chronic anaemia, painful events, and various complications due to associated tissue and multiple organ damage; "haemolytic" refers to the destruction of the cell membrane of red blood cells resulting in the release of haemoglobin.

1. Group of hereditary blood disorders that affect haemoglobin
2. Normal red blood cells contain Hemoglobin A
3. Sickled red blood cells contain Hemoglobin S
4. Polymerization of Hemoglobin S results in red blood cells that are rigid, sticky, and fragile
5. RBCs withHbS instead of HgbS have a shorter life span and trouble passing through blood vessels. Because of their fragility, sickle cells burst (hemolytic anaemia), lowering the red blood cell and haemoglobin count.
6. Sickle cells live 10-20 days in the bloodstream. Normal red blood cells live 120 days.
7. All blood counts may drop if the bone marrow is suppressed by Infection
8. Folic acid deficiency