You Need
Sickle Cell
What is Sickle Cell?
Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) is the name for several related but different inherited disorders associated with the sickling of the red blood cell. Sickle cell disorder alters the shape of the red blood cells from their usual round appearance to something which resembles a sickle, or half moon.
The most common types o sickle cell disorder are sickle cell anaemia, haemoglobin SC disease and sickle beta-thalassaemia
Sickle cell anaemia is usually the most severe type of sickle cell disorder where the majority of the haemoglobin inherited is sickle. Sufferers may experience 'crises'; bouts of pain, anaemia, infections or jaundice.
It is an inherited condition and is neither infectious nor contagious. In Britain it is most common in people of African or West Indian (Caribbean) descent, but it may also occur in people from India, Pakistan, the Middle East or the eastern Mediterranean.
Sickle cell anaemia does not affect a person's intelligence, except in extremely rare cases. Children with sickle cell anaemia can almost always attend an ordinary school and participate fully in normal school life.
This problem may also cause bed-wetting until the child reaches his or her teens. Never restrict the amount the child drinks because of this - discuss the problem with the child's parents and advise them to talk to the child's doctor about it.
Make sure a child with sickle cell is fully immunised against infectious illnesses and that he or she takes any vitamins (folic acid) and antibiotics prescribed.
People who suffer sickle cell trait do not suffer any of the symptoms of sickle cell anaemia. Sickle cell trait is not an illness and people with trait are perfectly healthy. However, they require extra oxygen during anaesthetic and operation, and are advised against participating in some sports, such as scuba diving or climbing very high mountains, where the oxygen supply may become reduced.
It can be helpful if a school designates a person to have oversight of children with sickle cell anaemia and other serious conditions, who can also inform colleagues and disseminate information.
All this information is extracted from information leaflets supplied by The Sickle Cell Society.
The Sickle Cell Society is a charity offering a wide range of services from information, advice and counselling, to financial help, holidays, briefings, seminars and training. They have a wealth of information available, including 'A guide for teachers and others caring for children with Sickle Cell disorders' and 'Guidelines for the inclusion of Sickle Cell Disorders in your teaching'.
For further information contact: The Sickle Cell Society . Web site: www.sicklecellsociety.org