Sickle-Cell Anemia
What is sickle-cell anemia, and what causes this this disease? Why does this disease mostly affect African Americans? I chose this topic because it’s a disease that I am not familiar with or known any one affected by this disorder.
Sickle-cell anemia is an inherited disorder in which the red blood cells assume a sickle shape when the oxygen concentration is low. People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait. This trait can be passed on to their children. There are many factors in determining if the trait will be passed on. For example:
· If both parents have this trait there is a 25% chance the trait will be passed on.
· If one parent has this trait, there is a 50% chance the trait will be passed on.
People with disease are born with two sickle cell genes one from each parent. If you have only one sickle cell gene, it’s call a trait. Nearly 40% of the black populations have the sickle-cell trait. 1 in 500 African Americans is born with sickle-cell anemia and only 8% have sickle-cell trait.
Sickle-cell anemia is present at birth, but usually don’t show any symptoms until around 4 months of age. The symptoms that usually occur are shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, coldness in the hands and feet. Sometimes their skin will turn jaundice like color or even have pale skin or mucous membranes.
Currently bone marrow transplants are the only cure for sickle-cell anemia. This procedure is not suitable for everyone. Age, severity of the disease and donor availability play a role, bone marrow produces red blood cell curing the patient of sickle-cell anemia.
In my research on this disease, it’s upsetting to know that African Americans are mostly affected by this disease. This puts a damper on trying to have a family and worry about this disease. It would be beneficial for blood tests to be taken before starting a family
Sources
Sickle Cell Trait, Author, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
March 27, 2013
Sickle Cell Anemia,
March 27, 2013
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia?
March 27, 2013
Cure for Sickle Cell Anemia, Author,,
March 27, 2013
1. What one assignment or activity you performed in this unit are you the most proud of?
· Flip-a-coin & genetics calculation lab
2. What do you now understand best about the information in this unit?
· Traits and Alleles
3. What actions did you take for yourself to enhance learning or enjoyment of the material?
· Viewed the videos and slideshows
4. When did you feel most “connected” with the course? Most distanced?
· Most connected ,Punnett squares. Most distanced, reading the genetic code of mRNA
5. What could I offer you to help your understanding or enjoyment of the material?
· More youtube videos
Thank you, Rebecca. Good topic. I appreciate your feedback.
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