Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that affects your hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that holds on to oxygen and carries it throughout your body. Normal hemoglobin red blood cells are round and smooth; in a child with sickle cell disease, red blood cells are hard, sticky and shaped like a crescent, or sickle.
Understanding Sickle Cell Disease
What are the most common types of sickle cell disease?
• Hemoglobin SS disease (also called sickle cell anemia)
• Hemoglobin S Beta zero thalassemia
• Hemoglobin SC disease
• Hemoglobin S Beta plus thalassemia
Understanding Sickle Cell Types
The Sickle Cell team at Children’s of Alabama cares for almost 1,000 children with sickle cell disease in Alabama. Our specialized team includes pediatric hematologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, neuropsychologists, research coordinators, social workers, education specialists, and child life specialists dedicated to the care of infants, children, and young adults living with sickle cell anemia.
Pediatric Sickle Cell Complications
Sickle Cell Disease Emergency
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Sickle Cell Disease Pain Clinic
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Becoming An Adult with Sickle Cell Disease
Learn MoreSickle Cell Disease Resources
- Acute Chest Syndrome
- Fever
- Pain
- Individualized Pain Plan. More info on developing a pain plan
- Ways to cope with pain Additional ways to treat pain
- Sickle Cell Pain Clinic Learn about our new Pain Clinic
- Priapism (painful erections)
- Splenic Sequestration
- Stroke
- Sickle Cell Stroke Screen FAQs
- Sickle Cell and the Covid Vaccine (PDF)
- Anemia
- Bedwetting
- Bones
- Constipation
- Eyes
- Gallbladder
- Growth
- Kidney Damage
- Physical Activity
- School Performance
We have medications to reduce complications from sickle cell disease as well as curing sickle cell disease. Please talk with your doctor about currently approved sickle cell treatments as well as options to try new sickle cell medications.
Sickle Cell Disease Patient Stories
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Sean Baker
Sean Baker's sickle cell disease hasn't slowed him down in school, music, sports or community activities.
Sean's Story -
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Zariyah Blackmon
Thanks to the help of Children's of Alabama, Zariyah Blackmon understands how to manage her sickle cell disease.
Zariyah's Story -
Ryan Pickett
Ryan Pickett has the most severe form of sickle cell disease, but he knows how to manage it.
Ryan's Story -
Kennedi Dahnsaw and her Sister and Bone Marrow Donor, Hayli
“Part of the potential for the bone marrow transplant was having a matched sibling donor, so we decided to check and see if Hayli was a match.”
Kennedi's Story
SICKLE CELL DISEASES COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Staff from the community based organizations attend sickle cell clinics to offer supportive services for affected families.
