Philadelphia Sickle Cell Anemia Attorneys

Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder that is inherited and is primarily characterized by chronic anemia, in addition to frequent episodes of pain. Ultimately, the disease can damage a person's vital organs and tissues, and lead to other severe medical problems. The disease causes a person's red blood cells to form in an abnormal crescent shape. Normally, red blood cells are disc-like.

Millions of people all over the world are affected by sickle cell anemia. In the United States, about 72,000 people are affected by the disease, according to the American Sickle Cell Anemia Association (ASCAA). Sickle cell anemia is most common among people whose lineage can be traced to sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, Mediterranean countries (including Greece, Italy, and Turkey), India, as well as Spanish-speaking regions such as Central and South America, and Cuba.

Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is the result of an error in the gene that informs the body regarding the hemoglobin-making process. The defective gene notifies the body to create abnormal hemoglobin that results in red blood cells that are deformed. A child who inherits copies of the defective gene from both their parents will have the disease; whereas a child who inherits the defective gene from only one parent will not have sickle cell, but will carry the trait for it. People carrying the trait for sickle cell anemia typically do not have any of the symptoms associated with the disease, but can pass the gene onto their offspring. It is estimated that 2 million people in the U.S. carry the trait for sickle cell.

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

Typically, symptoms of sickle cell do not appear until after a child is at least four months old. Common symptoms of the disease include the following:

• Ulcers, particularly on the lower legs
• Strokes
• Rapid heart rate
• Prolonged and painful erections (in men)
• Poor eyesight or even blindness
• Jaundice
• Frequent urination
• Delayed growth
• Chest pain
• Bone pain
• Abdominal pain

Nearly all persons affected by sickle cell have painful episodes, often referred to as crises, which can last from a few hours to days. These episodes can affect a person's back bones; other bones, including long bones; and chest. A person with sickle cell may have an episode every few years, while another person with the disease may have many episodes per year. Often, the episodes are serious enough to require the person to visit and possibly stay at a hospital.

Detecting Sickle Cell Anemia

It is crucial for sickle cell anemia to be detected early in order for a person affected by the disease to receive the proper treatment. Various testing can be done to diagnose and monitor a person with sickle cell, including a sickle cell test as well as the following:

• White blood cell count;
• Peripheral smear;
• Hemoglobin electrophoresis;
• CT or MRI scan;
• Complete blood count (CDC);
• Blood oxygen test; and more.

It is possible to detect sickle cell in an unborn baby. A sample can be taken from the amniotic fluid or from tissue taken from the placenta in order to determine whether a fetus is carrying the trait for the disease or has the disease itself. This test can be conducted as early as the first trimester of a woman's pregnancy. Another prenatal test, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), can be done early on during a woman's pregnancy that can locate certain genetic problems with a fetus. This test can be done as soon as 10 to 12 weeks into the pregnancy.

If your child was born with sickle cell anemia and you believe your healthcare provider did not adequately screen for the disease, contact the Philadelphia failure to diagnosis lawyers at Anapol Schwartz. We may be able to help your family receive compensation to pay for hospital bills, medical expenses, and more. Call 866-735-2792 to find out how we can protect your legal rights.

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