STUDY OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED BY

S.NAGARAJAN
REG NO:
IN
ACCORDANCE TO INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
OF CLASS XI-A3 2022-23
IN
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

AFFILIATION NO:
ADHYAPANA SCHOOL CBSE
MADURAI DINDIGAL HIGHWAY, PARAVAI POST,
MADURAI-625 402.
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that S.NAGARAJAN has successfully completed the

ANNUAL INVESTIGATORY PROJECT on the topic , STUDY OF SICKLE
CELL ANEMIA in the academic year 2022-23 as per the CBSE syllabus
for BIOLOGY in class XI in ADHYAPANA SCHOOL CBSE, MADURAI.

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am thankful to our CORRESPONDENT Mrs. ARUNA M VISVESSVAR

and our DEAN OF ACADEMICS Mr. VISESH AIYER and PRINCIPAL Mrs.
RINCY JOSE for their continuous support and motivation.

I like to express my sincere gratitude to my BIOLOGY teacher

Mrs. R. MEENA MALINI for her vital support, guidance and
encouragement without which this project would not come forth.

I am thankful to my parents and classmates for their constant

support.
 INDEX

S. NO CONTENTS PG
NO.

1. Introduction

2. Causes

3. Symptoms

4. Complications

5. Risk factors and prevention

6. Conclusion
 SICKLE CELL ANEMIA – INTRODUCTION

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically

inherited from a person's parents. The most common type is known
as SICKLE CELL ANEMIA. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-
carrying protein Haemoglobin found in red blood cells. This leads to
a rigid, sickle-like shape under certain circumstances. Problems in
sickle cell disease typically begin around 5 to 6 months of age. A
number of health problems may develop, such as attacks of pain
(known as a sickle cell crisis), anemia, swelling in the hands and feet,
bacterial infections and stroke. Long-term pain may develop as
people get older. The average life expectancy in the developed world
is 40 to 60 years.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL RBC AND SICKLE SHAPED RBC
 CAUSES

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a change in the gene that tells the
body to make the iron-rich compound in red blood cells called
haemoglobin. Haemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen
from the lungs throughout the body. The haemoglobin associated
with sickle cell anemia causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky
and misshapen.

For a child to be affected, both mother and father must carry one
copy of the sickle cell gene — also known as sickle cell trait — and
pass both copies of the altered form to the child.

If only one parent passes the sickle cell gene to the child, that child
will have the sickle cell trait. With one typical haemoglobin gene and
one altered form of the gene, people with the sickle cell trait make
both typical haemoglobin and sickle cell haemoglobin.

Their blood might contain some sickle cells, but they generally don't
have symptoms. They're carriers of the disease, however, which
means they can pass the gene to their children.
 SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 6 months of age.
They vary from person to person and may change over time. Signs and symptoms
can include:

 Anemia. Sickle cells break apart easily and die. Red blood cells usually live for
about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells typically die in
10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Without enough
red blood cells, the body can't get enough oxygen and this causes fatigue.
 Episodes of pain. Periodic episodes of extreme pain, called pain crises, are a
major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red
blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen
and joints.

The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few days. Some
people have only a few pain crises a year. Others have a dozen or more a year.
A severe pain crisis requires a hospital stay.

Some adolescents and adults with sickle cell anemia also have chronic pain,
which can result from bone and joint damage, ulcers, and other causes.

 Swelling of hands and feet. The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red

blood cells blocking blood circulation in the hands and feet.

 Frequent infections. Sickle cells can damage the spleen, increasing

vulnerability to infections. Infants and children with sickle cell anemia commonly
receive vaccinations and antibiotics to prevent potentially life-threatening
infections, such as pneumonia.

 Delayed growth or puberty. Red blood cells provide the body with the oxygen
and nutrients needed for growth. A shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow
growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers.

 Vision problems. Tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes can become plugged
with sickle cells. This can damage the retina — the portion of the eye that
processes visual images — and lead to vision problems.
 COMPLICATIONS

Sickle cell anemia can lead to a host of complications, including:

 Stroke. Sickle cells can block blood flow to an area of the brain. Signs of stroke
include seizures, weakness or numbness of the arms and legs, sudden speech
difficulties, and loss of consciousness. If your child has any of these signs and
symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately. A stroke can be fatal.

 Acute chest syndrome. A lung infection or sickle cells blocking blood vessels
in the lungs can cause this life-threatening complication, resulting in chest pain,
fever and difficulty breathing. It might require emergency medical treatment.

 Pulmonary hypertension. People with sickle cell anemia can develop high

blood pressure in their lungs. This complication usually affects adults.
Shortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of this condition, which
can be fatal.

 Organ damage. Sickle cells that block blood flow to organs deprive the affected
organs of blood and oxygen. In sickle cell anemia, blood is also chronically low
in oxygen. This lack of oxygen-rich blood can damage nerves and organs,
including kidneys, liver and spleen, and can be fatal.

 Splenic sequestration. A large number of sickle cells can get trapped in the
spleen, causing it to enlarge and possibly causing belly pain on the left side of
the body. This can be life-threatening. Parents of children with sickle cell
anemia should learn to regularly feel their child's spleen for enlargement.

 Blindness. Sickle cells can block tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes. Over
time, this can lead to blindness.
 RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION

For a baby to be born with sickle cell anemia, both parents must
carry a sickle cell gene. In the United States, sickle cell anemia most
commonly affects people of African, Mediterranean and Middle
Eastern descent.

If you carry the sickle cell trait, seeing a genetic counselor before
trying to conceive can help you understand your risk of having a child
with sickle cell anemia. A genetic counselor can also explain possible
treatments, preventive measures and reproductive options.
 CONCLUSION

Targeted therapies based upon the pathophysiologic mechanisms of

sickle cell disease that result in organ dysfunction and painful episodes
include hydroxyurea, L-glutamine, crizanlizumab, and other drugs that are
currently on the market or are on the verge of becoming available. These
agents have the potential to improve survival and quality of life for
individuals with sickle cell disease. Also discussed is stem cell
transplantation that, to date, is the only curative approach for this
disease, as well as the current status of gene therapy.

These examples demonstrate how the current knowledge of sickle cell

disease pathophysiology and treatment approaches intersect. Although
interest in sickle cell research has blossomed, many more clinical trials
need to be initiated and subjected to more strenuous examination and
analysis than have been used in the past.
 REFERENCE

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle_cell_disease

 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4579-sickle-cell-
anemia

 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-
anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355876