8/14/2019 Fact Sheet - Sickle Cell EDU 214 2013.pdf

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In America 90,000 - 100,000 peoplehave sickle cell disease. This diseaseis an inherited blood disorder thataffects the red blood cells. If a childinherits the sickle cell gene from bothparents, they will have sickle celldisease. Someone who inherits thegene from just one parent will havethe sickle cell trait, but not thedisease. They will remain a carrier ofthe gene.

Normal red blood cells are doughnutshaped and are able to move easilythrough small blood vessels. Sicklecells are pointed and stiff. These cellsget stuck in narrow blood vessels.This causes anemia, episodes of painand can lead to organ damage.

What is Sickle Cell Disease? Symptoms in theClassroom

Diagnosis and TestingSickle cell disease usually is diagnosed at birth with a blood test during routine

newborn screening tests. Children with sickle cell disease are at an increased

risk of infection and other health complications, early diagnosis and treatment to

prevent problems is important. Currently, more than 40 states require newborn

screening programs for sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Disease

Infection: Kids with sickle

disease are at increased ri

for certain bacterial infecti

It's important to watch for

fevers of 101°F (38°C) or

higher, which could signal

infection. Children with sic

cell disease and fever sho

be seen by a doctor

immediately.

Painful episodes: These

occur in any part of the bo

and may be brought on by

or dehydration. The pain m

last a few hours, a few day

or sometimes much longe

Pain may be so severe tha

child needs to be hospitali

Stroke: Impaired blood fl

the brain can occur. Signs

include headache, seizures

weakness of the legs and

arms, speech problems, a

facial droop, or loss of

consciousness.

Current ResearchBone marrow transplants are the only known cure for sickle cell. Unfortunately

this procedure is expensive, risky and only for severe cases. Even without a

cure, children can lead healthy lives with the help of medications. Advances in

the field of medication has helped to manage the pain. Also additional

advancements with antibiotics has helped to prevent infections.

Currently gene research continues to be studied as a way to inactivate the

sickle gene. Based on findings in 2013, researcher Stuart Orkin, MD stated,

"Coupled with recent advances in technologies for gene engineering in intact

cells, it could lead to powerful ways of manipulating hemoglobin production and

new treatment options for hemoglobin diseases."

“As recently as 30 years ago, children with SCD usually did not survive intoadulthood. Now, as a result of advances in screening and treatment, more than90 percent of individuals with SCD reach adulthood.” Agency for HealthcareResearch 

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National Headquarters

231 E. Baltimore Street,

Suite 800

Baltimore, MD 21202

Office  410.528.1555

Fax  410.528.1495

Toll Free  800.421.8453

scdaa@sicklecelldisease.

org 

American Sickle Cell

Anemia Association 

10300 Carnegie Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

216-229-8600

http://www.ascaa.org/su

pport_groups.asp 

Johns Hopkins Children’s

Center Pediatric

Hematology/Oncology

Unit

600 North Wolfe Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21287410-955-6132

http://www.hopkinschild

rens.org/hematology/ 

Lauren D. Beck Sickle Cell

Support Group Anne

Arundel Medical Center -

Sajack Pavillion

2002 Medical Parkway

 Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Medical Conference Room 1

  Provide students the opportunity to make up the missed instruction, assignments,

and testing.

  Children may seem tired or not motivated to learn. Get to know the student, so you

can help make a proper assessment.

  In general, they should be allowed to participate in any activities, but they must be

careful to avoid overexertion, dehydration and extremes of temperature. They must

learn to stop at the first sign of fatigue.

  Allow your student to carry a bottle of water and take bathroom breaks. Allow

breaks from instruction and activities when necessary.

  Avoid outdoor activities when it's very hot or very cold.

  Have a plan in place in case your students experience any symptoms that require

immediate medical attention.

  Classmates may begin to wonder, question and worry about their missing

classmate. Educational topics will help to eliminate rumors and offer ideas on how

to be a supportive friend.

 Teaching StrategiesFamily Resources

Sickle Cell DiseasePage 2

Classroom Innovations

Children with sickle cell disorder miss a

greater number of days of school thanaverage. Some absences may be an

extended time, if hospitalization is needed.

  Make classwork and homework

assignments available to the parents to

prevent the student from falling behind.

  Using email and the internet, parents

and teachers can keep each other

informed.

  Social interaction is an important part of

school, if possible help the child stayconnected through programs such as

Skype.

  Use interactive sites to help other

students learn more about sickle cell.

Some sites are KidsHealth.org or

Starlight foundation’s “Sickle Cell Slime-

O-Rama” 

Under the category of other Health an

Impairment or under Section 504 or th

Rehabilitation Act, a child with sickle

cell disease may qualify for SpecialEducation through the Individuals with

Disability Education Act (IDEA).

References

Howard Taras, William Potts-Datema.(2005) Chronic

health conditions and students performan

school.  Journal of School Health. Sept 200

i7 p255(12).

Dyson M, Abuateye H, Atkin K, Culley L, Dyson E, Row

(2010) Schools fail children with sickle celldisorder. School Health Journal . April 2010

p16

Sickle cell anemia; studies from S. mayes and co-

researchers yield new data on sickle cell

anemia. (2011). Education Letter, , 234.

Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aacc.edu/

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2000). Sick

in Childhood. Retrieved from

http://www.aafp.org/

Center for Disease Control. (2011) Sickle Cell Fact She

Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/

Kids Health. (2013). Fact Sheet for Teachers. Retrieve

from http://kidshealth.org/