Sickle-cell disease

Sickle-cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle-cell anaemia (SCA), is a group of genetically passed down blood disorders. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red blood cells. This leads to a rigid, sickle-like shape under certain circumstances. Problems in sickle cell disease typically begin around 5 to 6 months of age. A number of health problems may develop, such as attacks of pain ("sickle-cell crisis"), anemia, bacterial infections, and stroke. Long term pain may develop as people get older. The average life expectancy in the developed world is 50 years.