Etiology of sickle cell disease
What is a point mutation in the 6th codon of the beta globulin chain exchanging glutamate for valine
bonus: what nucleotide is exchanged for what?
bonus bonus: how does this mutation cause disease?
The form of hemoglobin formed secondary to the mutation
diagnostic tests used in sickle cell (5)
what are hemoglobin electrophoresis, chest x-ray, CBC with differential, peripheral blood smear, blood cultures
This structure is microscopic and has the shape of a flat disk or doughnut, which is round with an indentation in the center, but it isn't hollow
What is an erythrocyte
Additional things you may need to document for a sickle cell patient
What is hydroxyurea dosage, last pain crisis, hospital/pain crisis plan, last immunizations
Population is sickle cell disease most commonly found
What are African populations
also acceptable: Who are Hispanic-Americans from Central and South America, People of Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent.
Three pathophysical mechanisms that cause the clinical presentation of sickle cell
What is polymerization of HbS, vaso-occlusive phenomena, and endothelial dysfunction mediated by hemolysis
common differential diagnosis of sickle cell disease
What is HbSC disease. (or SS)
A milder sickling disorder. In the HbC mutation, lysine replaces glutamic acid in position 6 on the beta chain. HbA is not present. The RBCs contain 50% HbS and 50% HbC. Anemia is much milder, with Hb levels of 11 g/dL or higher.
Symptoms of HbSC disease are similar to SCD but less frequent and less severe. Splenomegaly often persists well into adult life
This structure is stiff and sticky. When they lose their oxygen, they form into the shape of a sickle or crescent, like the letter C.
What is a "sickled cell".
Prevents adherence to medication/ treatment
what are hydroxyurea side effects
3 (of many) Classic manifestations of sickle cell disease
what are dactylitis, pain crisis, avascular necrosis, splenic failure (howell jolly bodies), splenic sequestration crisis, acute chest syndrome, renal dysfunction, papillary necrosis
bonus: do these symptoms change in adult sickle cell?
This hemoglobin has a lower affinity for oxygen than HbA
What is HbS
The probable cause of a high reticulocyte count
What is an aplastic crisis
The erythrocyte lacks these structures which makes it difficult for RBCs to produce proteins, divide, or survive when glucose is low
Organelles (mitochondria, ribosomes, nucleus)
people with this genotype are more at risk for renal medullary carcinoma
who are people with sickle cell trait
Inheritance pattern of sickle cell anemia
what is autosomal recessive
bonus: what are the chances that a person with Sickle Cell Disease passes it on to their offspring? Sickle Cell trait?
Consequence of blockage venous outflow from the spleen secondary to vaso-occlusion
What is splenic sequestration
(blood pools in spleen --> splenomegaly & hypotension)
This is how a hemoglobin electrophoresis would look for a person with confirmed Sickle Cell Disease
what is increase Hemoglobin S

terms that describe unequal red blood cell, increase in abnormal red blood cells of any shape (that makes up to 10% or more of the total population), more staining than normal with certain dyes.
what are anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and polychromatophilia
Significance of IV fluids, 100% oxygen, packed RBCs, and daily reticulocyte counts
A person with Sickle Cell trait may have increased protection against this disease
What is Malaria
Consequence of increased marrow erythropoiesis to compensate for hemolysis and RBC precursors being released into the blood
What is reticulocytosis
You are an attending who suspects SCD in an infant. You ask your OMS IV to draw labs. What labs would you order and what would you expect your lab values to be? (6 values total)
what would be decreased hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC, and platelets, and increased RDW and reticulocyte counts
lets discuss why :-)
bonus: untreated sickle cell could lead to elevation of what other lab value?
consequence of sickled shaped RBCs
what is decreased blood flow (vaso-occlusion) and decrease oxygen carrying capacity
lets discuss!
bonus: MOA of hydroxyurea
raises the amount of fetal hemoglobin