SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA IN CHILDREN: SYMPTOMS, PRECAUTIONS AND TREATMENT
Signs and symptoms
In a child who has sickle cell disease, almost all the hemoglobin in the child’s bloodstream is hemoglobin S. The child may often show symptoms of anaemia, which include weakness and constant tiredness. In certain circumstances, such as when the child has an infection, a sickle cell crisis may occur. These crises may also occur for no apparent reason, or as a result of flying in an unpressurized airplane or travelling to altitudes over 2,000 meters. Other stresses on the body such as injuries or surgery can also cause a sickle cell crisis. In a crisis, the abnormal red blood cells are destroyed rapidly, causing severe anaemia. At the same time, other sickled cells may lodge in the blood vessels and cause fever, swelling of the joints, and severe pain. Sickle cell crises can damage body organs and such damage can eventually cause death.
To find out if a child has this disease, a blood test called»sickle prep” is first performed to look for sickled cells in the blood. If abnormal cells are found, a more complicated test is done to separate the types of hemoglobin in the blood. The amount of hemoglobin S compared to the amount of normal hemoglobin will tell if the child has the trait or the disease.
Home care
Sickle cell anaemia requires medical treatment.
Precautions
• All infections should be treated immediately, and high fevers should also be reported to the doctor right away.
• A child with this disease should have frequent checkups and may need special treatment before having dental work or surgery.
• A child who has sickle cell trait needs no special treatment.
Medical treatment
Each year, the doctor will carefully examine the child’s liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, and eyes. The doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics immediately if the child gets any infection. Blood transfusions may be needed to prevent anaemia, and a vaccination against pneumococcus bacteria will be given as a precaution.
In a sickle cell crisis, the child should be hospitalized. Intravenous fluids and pain medications will be given until the crisis passes.
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