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Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited chronic illness which results in anemia (low blood counts) episodes of pain and increased susceptibility to infections. Any complication, if severe or untreated can be life threatening. Immediate treatment at a hospital or sickle cell center is required under these circumstances.
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Sickle cell patients may be absent
because of severe pain episodes caused by the blockage of blood flow to body
organs or bones. These may require treatment in a hospital setting.
Make up work for students should be
provided to keep the student current with assignments. A hospital or
homebased teacher may be required for prolonged complications.
Pain episodes may be prevented by
allowing the individual to keep well hydrated with water. Do not limit
access to water as their requirements are increased. This will necessitate
frequent bathroom breaks also as their kidneys can not retain water as well.
Let the individual keep a water bottle with them or allow frequent water
breaks.
Pain episodes may also be prevented
by not allowing the individual to become over heated or exposed to cold
temperatures.
Because of their anemia, individuals
with sickle cell may tire before others and a rest period may be
appropriate. Encourage gym and sports participation but allow the person to
stop without undue attention.
Sickle cell disease does not affect
one's intelligence, but various factors of this lifelong illness may impair
academic performance. These should be identified and addressed as they would
for any child. Academic performance is important as the life expectancy for
those with sickle cell is now up in the forth and fifth decade. Those with
sickle cell can become professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers as
well as anyone.
Sickle cell patients may have a
yellow tint to their eyes because of the anemia, this is not usually a liver
problem. They also may have a shorter stature and delayed puberty.
Those with sickle cell should be
treated as normal as possible with an awareness that they may have
intermittent episodes of pain, infection or fatigue that can be treated and
sometimes prevented though adequate water intake, avoiding temperature
extremes and over doing it.
Learn about sickle cell and
understand the challenges that may be faced. Have a plan of action with the
individual to do what you can to keep them productive and complication free.
The individual should seek medical
attention if the following occurs: fever, headache, chest pain, abdominal
pain, numbness or weakness. A mild pain episode may be managed with
increased fluid intake and a non-narcotic pain pill like ibuprofen or
acetaminophen.What You Can Do
Invite a speaker from your local
sickle cell foundation or clinic to educate the entire class or staff about
sickle cell.
Become involved in public awareness
events, like walks, fun runs, kids camp and fund raisers.
Encourage blood donations and blood
drives in your community, many with sickle cell need transfusions to prevent
childhood strokes and other complications.
Support sickle cell research to
provide new treatments.
Support sickle cell patients to be
the best they can be.Great Resources for Learning More
Special Child, Adult and Early Intervention Services
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 364
Trenton, New Jersey, 08625-0364
(609) 984-1343
Fax (609) 292-3580
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