Medical Questions » Blood Questions » Question No. 131
| Question: | I have been trying to get some information on Sickle blood cells. During my student days I saw the cells under a microscope, but there was no information about them. What does the presence of these cells typify? Are they of any importance? Are they only found in coloured and Jewish people? I am very curious about this matter. |
| Answer: | Siclde cells are malformed red blood cells that have the shape of a sickle (new moon crescent) rather than a doughnut. The condition is present mainly in black Africans, with 8% of African Americans and up to 30% of Nigerians being affected. Aborigines are not affected, and it is therefore a rare condition in Australia.
The condition can cause severe, life threatening anaemia if excessive numbers of red blood cells are affected in a patient, but if the condition is mild, it gives some protection from malaria, as the malarial parasite cannot breed in these odd-shaped red blood cells. It is easily diagnosed by examining a drop of blood under a microscope which allows the abnormal cells to be seen.
The presence of sickle cells is hereditary, and passes from one generation to the next, but the severe anaemias only develop in the children of parents who both have the disease. The treatment of the anaemia is unsatisfactory.
I am not aware of the disease being present in Jews to any significant extent. It is non-existent in European and Asian races. |
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