MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Description. Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. People with this disease have atypical hemoglobin molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent, shape.

Detailed explanation-2: -Young children with sickle cell anemia are at risk for acute splenic sequestration crises. These occur when an excessive amount of blood becomes trapped in the spleen, causing a dangerous drop in the circulating blood volume.

Detailed explanation-3: -The main mechanisms driving anemia in SCD include intravascular and extravascular hemolysis, decreased EPO production, and incomplete bone marrow compensation. Different mechanisms may predominate or act synergistically in different individuals with SCD, contributing to the phenotypic variability of the disease.

Detailed explanation-4: -Any and all major organs are affected by sickle cell disease. The liver, heart, kidneys, gallbladder, eyes, bones, and joints can suffer damage from the abnormal function of the sickle cells and their inability to flow through the small blood vessels correctly.