What is Sickle Cell?
The most common and fastest growing genetic condition in the UK.
Sickle Cell is the name for a group of different but similar inherited health conditions that affect haemoglobin. It gets its name because the red blood cells — which are normally round and flexible — become shaped like a crescent moon or farmer's sickle.
The unusually-shaped red blood cells are rigid and can block blood vessels, reducing blood flow to parts of the body resulting in excruciating pain known as a Sickle Cell crisis. This can sometimes cause damage.
Sickle Cell Symptoms
Did You Know?
1 in 7
Adults of African and Caribbean descent in the UK carry the Sickle Cell gene
15,000+
People in the UK have Sickle Cell
250,000+
People in the UK have Sickle Cell trait
Things That Can Cause Sickling
Dehydration
Infection
Excessive exercise
Organ failure
Stress and anxiety
Sudden change in temperature
Treatments for Sickle Cell
Blood transfusions and red cell exchange
May be necessary to prevent strokes, improve oxygen delivery during acute chest syndrome, and prevent complications before operations.
Hydroxyurea
A drug shown to improve symptoms by reducing pain episodes and the need for blood transfusions in Sickle Cell.
Bone marrow transplant
Currently the only cure for Sickle Cell. While many survive, 1 in 10 will not. Finding a match can be difficult.
Gene therapy
The future cure to replace the defective gene with a normal gene.
Folic acid
Helps the body make new red blood cells. The anaemia in Sickle Cell is caused by haemoglobin S where red blood cells don't live as long.
Penicillin
Children with Sickle Cell are 600 times more likely to get pneumococcal infection because their spleen doesn't filter infection properly.
Healthy diet and hydration
Hydration is critical — insufficient water can trigger a crisis. A balanced diet supports red blood cell production.
L-glutamine oral powder (Endari)
Works by increasing glutamine in the blood, taken up by sickle cells to release antioxidants that lessen pain and swelling. Approved in the USA, awaiting NICE approval in the UK.