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A sickle cell compared to two normal cells

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells. Normal red blood cells contain hemoglobin A. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells containing mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. These red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent-shaped), and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. There are several different types of sickle cell disease, the most common types are homogzygous sickle cell disease (SS disease), sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease (SC disease) and sickle-cell beta thalassemia (Sß+or Sß0disease).

How do people get sickle cell disease?

Important facts about sickle cell disease