1. Sickle Cell anemia Jess McClung

2. Causes Both parents MUST have the sickle cell trait Trace cells may be found Is not communicable (unless both parents have traits) Genetics counselor

3. Etiology No incubation period Signs and symptoms may appear after four months of age Will have disease for entire life Bone Marrow Operations

4. Detection Genetics counselor will test both parents for the genes Complete Blood Count (CBC) Hemoglobin electrophoresis

5. Signs and Symptoms Attacks of abdominal pain, bone pain, breathlessness, delayed growth and puberty, fatigue, fever, paleness, rapid heart rate, ulcers on the lower legs, and yellowing of the eyes.

6. Painful Episodes May happen very often or very little. Some may require hospitalization Abdominal pain, bone pain, and breathlessness are most common

7. Why? This disease occurs because of the shape of the red blood cells. There “sickle” shape make them inadequate for carrying oxygen to the body tissues. Very common in African Americans and those of Caribbean decent.

8. Prevention Keep up with vaccinations to avoid infections. Consult a Genetics counselor before having children. Test early for your newborn Take proper precautions for your children in every day activities Encourage that they live a normal life.

9. Prognosis No known cure for this disease Usually, there is death between 20-40 years of age due to infection and your body’s inability to fight it off. Although, new treatments give hope to live through out your 50s.

10. Site http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/sca.shtml All info in paper and slide are from his site