Sickle Cell Anemia

By Bernice Boateng
What Is Sickle Cell Anemia? What is the condition: Sickle cell Anemia is an autosomal
recessive dis order; affected children of carries continue to have sickle-shaped red blood cells which lead to chronic health problems such as a severe pain in the abdomen, legs and arm, swollen joints, fainting and overall fatigue. It is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD). The red blood cells are shaped like a crescent. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They move easily through your blood vessels.
Sickle cell anemia primarily affects people of African descent.

What causes the condition? Sickle cell anemia is

mostly found among African American where by both parents are asymptomatic carries. Research shows that Africa is the carrier state of sickle among African American when both parents are cell anemia, Therefore it is an advantage to offer protection against malaria, since malaria is a trait to sickle cell anemia.

A Brief description on how the condition is treated medically: There is no cure for this
disorder. Sickle cell anemia is steadily decreasing in America since malaria is not a trait here. Research shows that this genetic mutation has almost died out because of natural selection. Forty years ago, almost 15 percent of children born with sickle cell disease died before the age of 2, and many more died in their teens. Today, however, the life expectancy for people with sickle cell disease has dramatically increased, and the health problems they experience are less severe because of new treatments that have been developed with National Institutes of Health (NIH)

What is the impact of the condition on the childs lifestyle: Sickle cells are stiff and sticky.
They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain and organ damage. A child with sickle cell anemia is vulnerable to infection; affected children of carries continue to have sickle-shaped red blood cells which lead to chronic health problems. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited, lifelong disease. People who have the disease are born with it. They inherit two genes for sickle hemoglobinone from each parent.

What is the impact of the condition on a childs learning: Having sickle cell disease alone
does not affect learning ability, but the complications of the disease may cause learning problems. Students may require extra help and encouragement when illness interferes with school. Fatigue due to anemia and sleep disturbances may be present. This can cause memory problems and a lack of concentration. This can limit a childs ability to focus and pay attention in a classroom setting. You can consider an IEP If a child has learning difficulties, developmental and/or neurocognitive assessments may be appropriate.

How does this condition qualify for services under IDEA: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines 14 categories of disability under which a child may be found eligible for special education and related services. One of those categories is Other Health Impairment, or (OHI) Within OHIs definition, numerous disabilities and medical conditions are explicitly named. Sickle Cell Anemia is one of them. Resources Jordy, Carey, Bamshad, White (2009) http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/ohi-sicklecell http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/healthtopics/topics/sca/