Sickle Cell C Disease
Also known as: sickle cell hemoglobin C disease, sickle-hemoglobin C disease.
What is sickle cell C disease (Hemoglobin SC)?
Hemoglobin is a protein in blood that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. People who have sickle cell C disease have abnormal hemoglobin (both hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C). This hemoglobin doesn’t flow through the blood vessels as smoothly as normal hemoglobin and can cause a number of complications.
What causes sickle cell C disease?
Sickle cell C disease is a genetic disorder that is passed along from parents to their children. It’s a recessive genetic disorder, which means that both parents must pass along the gene in order for the child to develop the disorder.
What are the symptoms of sickle cell C disease?
Sickle cell C disease often causes mild anemia, tiredness or weakness. Occasionally, pain in the arms, legs or back can occur as blood clumps up in the vessels. Others problems can include an increased risk of infection, an enlarged spleen, eyes problems and more.
What are sickle cell C disease care options?
Treatments typically involve preventing potential complications and treating them as they arise. People with the disorder receive continuous care to prevent and manage the complications of the disease. Education is essential to provide supportive and preventive care. May require Hydroxyurea if major complications occur. The only cure for Sickle Cell disease is bone marrow transplantation; gene therapy will be a curative therapy and will be coming available soon.
Reviewed by: Athena C Pefkarou, MD
This page was last updated on: December 18, 2020 05:07 PM
Dr. Kamar Godder discusses bone marrow transplant for sickle cell disease in this edition of Children's Health Chats.
Patient Success Stories
While her high school senior peers were trying on prom dresses and applying to college, Sydnie Romero was grappling with a decision that would be tough for anyone, let alone a chronically ill 17-year-old. Sydnie was born with sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder in which bone marrow produces defective hemoglobin that can block blood supply to parts of the body, resulting in “pain crises,” which are episodes of severe pain that can last for hours to days.
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Hydroxyurea Treatment
Hydroxyurea is a medicine that can help children and adults with sickle cell disease.
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Blood and Marrow Transplantation
The transplantation of blood or bone marrow is the procedure of transferring and replacing the hematopietic stem cells.
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Apheresis Therapy: Red Cell Exchange
Apheresis therapy is a medical procedure that’s used to remove certain blood components when problems exist. Red cell exchange involves removing problematic red blood cells from the blood. It’s often used as a treatment for sickle cell disease.
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Exchange Transfusion Therapy
Exchange transfusion therapy is a form of blood transfusion in which the body’s blood is removed and replaced.
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