Sickle Cell Charities For Children Help With Medical Care
By Marci Glover
Children with sickle cell anemia are deficient in healthy red blood cells. It is the job of the red blood cells to transport oxygen to all parts of the body. There are sickle cell charities for children to help them and their families cope with this disease.
Although there is no cure, in most cases pain can be alleviated. The signs appear after the age of four months. They include, but, are not limited to fatigue, a painful crisis, swelling in the hands and feet and damage to the retinas, causing vision problems.
The symptoms leading to diagnosis may appear later in childhood. Severe illness is indicated by abdominal pain, a yellow tinge to the whites of the eyes, fever or the signs associated with a stroke. You may notice paralysis on one side of the body or face. These are emergency situations.
When only the mother or father has this gene, the child will not have it. A baby who shows the symptoms will have two parents who carry the gene. When both parents have it, if the baby does not show evidence of the disease, he or she may still be a carrier, capable of transmitting it if she or he grows up and becomes a parent.
This defective gene affects people of Hispanic or black ethnicity. They are from the Mediterranean, South or Central America, Africa or India. Whatever symptoms the child exhibits may be severe.
It can result in the death of the stricken infant or child. Watch for symptoms of a stroke, which occurs when the dysfunctional red blood cells block the flow of blood to the brain. Numbness in the arms and legs will be noticeable. Speech disorders may become evident.
Fatalities are not uncommon in the infant or child. For example, if the blood flow to the brain is obstructed by the abnormal red blood cells, it can result in a stroke. Be alert to weak or numb limbs, sudden onset speech disorders or unconsciousness.
Pulmonary hypertension can develop. This is evidenced by high blood pressure in the lungs. It shows up as difficult breathing including shortness of breath.
If the flow of oxygen to the kidneys, spleen or liver is blocked these organs can break down. Excessive bilirubin can build up in the liver, for example. When these major organs stop functioning, it can result in death.
Blindness is another possible result. The disease can cause obstruction of the tiny blood vessels that take oxygen to the eyes. Vision can be lost completely. Gallstones may develop in the gall bladder because of an abnormal increase in the bilirubin level.
There are charitable organizations that serve the needs of children with sickle cell anemia. Medical doctors specializing in hematology, blood disorders, treat them. Specially trained nurses provide care. Stem cell transplanting surgery is now an emerging development that is used.
One medical hospital has been involved in research into this disease since 1962. Research grants fund this research. Donations from individuals and organizations add to the funding. The hospital does not charge for treatment of the children.
The only way to prevent this disease is to test potential parents for the gene before they plan a family. Armed with knowledge, they can decide whether or not to have a baby who is likely to suffer from the genetic disorder. Obviously, the risk is high when both carry the abnormal gene.
Although there is no cure, in most cases pain can be alleviated. The signs appear after the age of four months. They include, but, are not limited to fatigue, a painful crisis, swelling in the hands and feet and damage to the retinas, causing vision problems.
The symptoms leading to diagnosis may appear later in childhood. Severe illness is indicated by abdominal pain, a yellow tinge to the whites of the eyes, fever or the signs associated with a stroke. You may notice paralysis on one side of the body or face. These are emergency situations.
When only the mother or father has this gene, the child will not have it. A baby who shows the symptoms will have two parents who carry the gene. When both parents have it, if the baby does not show evidence of the disease, he or she may still be a carrier, capable of transmitting it if she or he grows up and becomes a parent.
This defective gene affects people of Hispanic or black ethnicity. They are from the Mediterranean, South or Central America, Africa or India. Whatever symptoms the child exhibits may be severe.
It can result in the death of the stricken infant or child. Watch for symptoms of a stroke, which occurs when the dysfunctional red blood cells block the flow of blood to the brain. Numbness in the arms and legs will be noticeable. Speech disorders may become evident.
Fatalities are not uncommon in the infant or child. For example, if the blood flow to the brain is obstructed by the abnormal red blood cells, it can result in a stroke. Be alert to weak or numb limbs, sudden onset speech disorders or unconsciousness.
Pulmonary hypertension can develop. This is evidenced by high blood pressure in the lungs. It shows up as difficult breathing including shortness of breath.
If the flow of oxygen to the kidneys, spleen or liver is blocked these organs can break down. Excessive bilirubin can build up in the liver, for example. When these major organs stop functioning, it can result in death.
Blindness is another possible result. The disease can cause obstruction of the tiny blood vessels that take oxygen to the eyes. Vision can be lost completely. Gallstones may develop in the gall bladder because of an abnormal increase in the bilirubin level.
There are charitable organizations that serve the needs of children with sickle cell anemia. Medical doctors specializing in hematology, blood disorders, treat them. Specially trained nurses provide care. Stem cell transplanting surgery is now an emerging development that is used.
One medical hospital has been involved in research into this disease since 1962. Research grants fund this research. Donations from individuals and organizations add to the funding. The hospital does not charge for treatment of the children.
The only way to prevent this disease is to test potential parents for the gene before they plan a family. Armed with knowledge, they can decide whether or not to have a baby who is likely to suffer from the genetic disorder. Obviously, the risk is high when both carry the abnormal gene.
About the Author:
Read more about Sickle Cell Charities For Children Will Help Families With Free Medical Care.