Sickle cell anemia

sickle cell anemia

n.

A chronic, usually fatal inherited form of anemia marked by crescent-shaped red blood cells, occurring almost exclusively in Blacks, and characterized by fever, leg ulcers, jaundice, and episodic pain in the joints. Also called crescent cell anemia, drepanocytic anemia, drepanocytosis, meniscocytosis, sickle cell disease, sickle cell syndrome.

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Sickle cell anemia

An inherited disorder in which red blood cells contain an abnormal form of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. The abnormal form of hemoglobin causes the red cells to become sickle- or crescent-shaped. The misshapen cells may clog blood vessels, preventing oxygen from reaching tissues and leading to pain, blood clots and other problems. Sickle cell anemia is most common in people of African descent and in people from Italy, Greece, India, and the Middle East.

Mentioned in: Antianemia Drugs, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Budd-Chiari Syndrome, Cancer Therapy, Supportive, Fifth Disease, Immunologic Therapies, Pharmacogenetics, Priapism

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sickle cell anemia,

n a severe, chronic, incurable, hemoglobinopathic, anemic condition that occurs in people homozygous for hemoglobin S (Hb S).