Sickle Cell Care at USA Health
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that causes red blood cells to lose their ability to carry oxygen. While the normal red blood cell is shaped like a smooth and flexible disc, the sickle red blood cell becomes sickle shaped after oxygen is released from its hemoglobin. A sickle-shaped red blood cell is hard and sticky and forms blockages in small blood vessels. These blockages lead to repeated acute and chronic tissue damage, chronic anemia and severe painful episodes.
Pain, infection and lung complications are the more common side effects of sickle cell disease. Complications may include stroke, kidney failure, damage to joints and other debilitating conditions.
The USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center provides consultations with primary care physicians throughout the region for the diagnosis, management and treatment of children and adults with sickle cell disease.
Adult Sickle Cell Care
Adult outpatient care for patients with sickle cell disease is held each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Mastin Physicians Office by our team that consists of a pulmonologist, nurse practitioners, a registered nurse and a social worker. In-hospital treatment of adult sickle cell patients is provided at University Hospital.
Pediatric Sickle Cell Care
Outpatient care for children and adolescents with sickle cell disease is held every Tuesday at the USA Strada Patient Care Center. In-hospital services for patients are provided at the USA Children's and Women's Hospital. We also offer a program for the transition from pediatric to adult care. This transitional time can be very difficult for adolescents.
Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
The mission of the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, based out of the USA College of Medicine, is to improve the lives of persons affected by this disease through clinical care, basic and clinical research, and through patient and professional education. Semi-annual newsletters provide updates on the center and its programs.
