Sickle Cell Anemia

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Sickle cell anemia predominantly affects the African American population. Individuals with this condition are homozygous for HgS and possess more HgS than HgA, leading to some cells taking on a "sickle" shape—curved with rough edges. A crisis may occur when low oxygen tension triggers an increase in these cells. The sharp edges of these cells move through the microcirculation, damaging capillaries. Even minor events, such as cold weather, can trigger extensive sickling.

• Hemoglobin is the primary protein that carries oxygen in the blood.

• HgS: Represents sickle hemoglobin.

• HgA: Represents normal adult hemoglobin.

• Sickle Cell Trait = inheritance of one normal hemoglobin gene (HgA) and one sickle hemoglobin gene (HgS).

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