Extract from BMJ Best Practice, looking this month, at Sickle Cell Anaemia
Sickle cell anaemia is a disease of red blood cells caused by an autosomal-recessive single gene defect in the beta chain of haemoglobin. The characteristic crescent-shaped haemoglobin can disrupt blood flow and break. There is a predisposition for obstruction of small blood capillaries, causing painful crises, organ damage, and increased vulnerability to severe infections. Infants are screened, with findings confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis, FBC, reticulocyte count, and peripheral blood smear. Treatment goals include fluid replacement therapy, pain management, and symptom control.
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Best Practice app updates
- Updated Best Practice topics
- Assessment of lymphadenopathy
- Assessment of elevated creatinine
- Thyroid function testing
and related conditions
- Beta-thalassaemia
- Alpha-thalassaemia
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
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