Sickle Cell Anaemia Flashcards
Where is Sickle Cell Anaemia common
Africans - India, Middle East + southern Europe
Inheritance pattern of SCA
Autosomal Recessive
How is it caused
Production of abnormal beta-globing chains
Chances of getting the disease
1 in 4
Chance of being a carrier
50%
Chance of being disease free
1 in 4
Risk factors of SCA
African
Family History
Genetic mutations that cause SCA
Single-base mutation of Adenine to Thymine which substitutes Valine for Glutamic Acid at 6th codon of beta-globing chain
What is the heterozygous state called
Sickle cell trait
Why does SCA not manifest until 6th month of age
Because currently baby is running on HbF which is normal - starts becoming a problem when HbF starts to decrease
Properties of HbS
Insoluble and polymerises when deoxygenated
What happens to flexibility of cells
Decreases + become rigid
Initially, is sickle cell process reversible
Yes
How does this become an irreversible process
Cells eventually lose membrane flexibility with repeated sickling (become dehydrated and dense - won’t return to normal when oxygenated)
How does sickling effect lifespan of RBS
reduced due to haemolysis
How does sickling effect circulation
Impaired passage through microcirculation -> infarctions
What precipitates sickling
Infection Cold Dehydration Acidosis Hypoxia
Affinity of HbS to oxygen
Low - easily dissociates oxygen to normal RBCs - patients feel well even though anaemic
Clinical presentation of heterozygous sickle cell trait
Asymptomatic