Sickle Cell Symptoms/Complications/Types

Symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually show up at a young age. They may appear in babies as early as 4 months old, but generally occur around the 6-month mark.

While there are multiple types of SCD, they all have similar symptoms, which vary in severity. These include:

• Sleep walking and active movement during sleep

• swelling and pain in hands and feet, frequent infections, jaundice, which is yellowing of the eyes and skin

• Rashes and are frequent and severely painful

This type if Sickle Cell Disease involves the beta globin gene. It has similar symptoms to Hb SS anemia. However, sometimes the symptoms of beta zero thalassemia are more severe. It is associated with a poorer prognosis.

• Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia

• Hemoglobin SD, hemoglobin SE, and hemoglobin SO

• Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia

• Hemoglobin SC disease

• Hemoglobin SS disease

This type if Sickle Cell Disease is the most common type of sickle cell disease. It occurs when you inherit copies of the hemoglobin S gene from both parents. This forms hemoglobin known as Hb SS. As the most severe form of SCD, individuals with this form also experience the worst symptoms at a higher rate.

• Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia

• Hemoglobin SD, hemoglobin SE, and hemoglobin SO

• Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia

• Hemoglobin SC disease

• Hemoglobin SS disease

This type if Sickle Cell Disease is the second most common type of sickle cell disease. It occurs when you inherit the Hb C gene from one parent and the Hb S gene from the other. Individuals with Hb SC have similar symptoms to individuals with Hb SS. However, the anemia is less severe.

• Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia

• Hemoglobin SD, hemoglobin SE, and hemoglobin SO

• Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia

• Hemoglobin SC disease

• Hemoglobin SS disease

Children are only at risk for sickle cell disease if both parents carry sickle cell trait. A blood test called a hemoglobin electrophoresis can also determine which type you might carry.

People from the following regions have endemic malaria are more likely to be carriers. This includes people from:

• Africa, India, Unites States, Canada

• Africa, India, Canada, South America

• the Mediterranean, Northern Ireland, Germany

• Saudi Arabia, Africa, India, The Mediterranean

SCD can cause severe complications, which appear when the sickle cells block vessels in different areas of the body. Painful or damaging blockages are called sickle cell crises. They can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including:

• illness, changes in temperature, stress, poor hydration, altitude

• sugary food, too much sleep, mood swings

• alcohol consumption, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)