The disease occurs when red blood cells, normally shaped like doughnuts, mutate into a sickle-shaped hindering oxygen distribution in the body. Bea Files, MD After the cell delivers oxygen to ...

When someone inherits two mutant copies of the hemoglobin gene, the abnormal form of the hemoglobin protein causes the red blood cells to lose oxygen and warp into a sickle shape during periods of ...

The cells' sickle shape and associated fragility result in rapid RBC destruction by a patient's own body. This leads to leads to anemia, as well as congestion and fibrosis of the spleen at an ...

SCD is the most common form of an inherited blood disorder. Those with SCD have rigid and sickle-shaped red blood cells which also adhere to other blood cells and to vascular endothelial cells.