Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells. It can lead to pain, organ damage and anemia in kids if not treated.
Choose UM Children's for Sickle Cell Disease Treatment
Patients travel across Maryland and from nearby states to get sickle cell disease treatment at UM Children’s Hospital. Our pediatric hematologists tailor treatment to best meet the child’s needs and improve quality of life.
In addition to excellent inpatient treatment, we aim to educate families on the best outpatient care to prevent future hospitalizations.
Sickle Cell Symptoms and Diagnosis
Sickle cell disease causes the red blood cells to change their shape and get stuck in blood vessels, blocking proper blood flow. Kids may not show symptoms until they are one year old. Some children barely have any symptoms.
Typical symptoms of a sickle cell crisis include excessive sleepiness, rapid breathing, vomiting, jaundice and painful swelling in the hands and feet, caused from blocked blood flow. An estimated one in 10 children with sickle cell disease may experience a stroke before age 20.
Most kids with sickle cell are diagnosed as newborns, so they start with preventative treatment as early as possible. A blood test is performed at birth to screen newborns for sickle cell. When kids get older, routine tests include measuring hemoglobin and looking for abnormal red blood cells, using electric currents to find abnormal hemoglobin (isoelectric focusing) and separating hemoglobin types (chromatography or electrophoresis).
Treating Sickle Cell Disease
Treatment for sickle cell disease includes regular doctor’s visits, good nutrition and hydration, some pain medications and (sometimes) blood transfusions. Newer medications and therapies are being studied to help manage and cure sickle cell disease. A bone marrow/stem cell transplant may be recommended for some patients with side effects from their sickle cell.
The best treatment for your child depends on their overall health and the severity of the disease. The team at UM Children’s will work together to develop the best care plan for your child.