Sickle cell disease affects millions of people around the world every day, but it may not be as problematic an issue as some researchers have long believed. Some believe that sickle cell traits are actually an evolutionary response to malaria. Sickle cell diseases are the most common in parts of the world where malaria is the most common. Although it is not confirmed, it is believed that people with sickle anemia are not able to develop severe forms of malaria.
Statistics on Worldwide Sickle Cell Anemia
1. Sickle cell anemia occurs among about 1 out of every 500 Black or African-American births.
2. If sickle cell traits are included in the statistics, then 1 in 12 Blacks and African-Americans are born with the disease.
3. This disease occurs among about 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic births.
4. Sickle cell-related death among Black or African-American children younger than 4 years of age fell by 42% from 1999 through 2002.
5. Before 1987, the mortality rate of children with sickle cell anemia was 68%.
6. The average cost per year to treat an individual with sickle cell disease: $12,500.
7. Since 1993, hospitalizations for sickle cell disease have cost $475 million.
8. 25%. That’s the percentage of people in western and central Africa that are believed to have the sickle cell trait.
9. About 1,000 children in the United States are born with this disease every year, while 3 million people are believed to have the sickle cell trait.
10. 500,000. That’s the number of babies around the world who are believed to be affected by this disease in some way every year.
11. The number of sickle cell anemia cases is expected to increase about 30% globally by 2050.
12. Up to 90% of the children in developing countries will die in their first 5 years of life because of a lack of treatment options.
13. In Nigeria, an estimated 91,000 babies are born with the disorder each year.
14. In the Congo, it’s about 40,000 babies every year who will be born with this disease.
15. Approximately 5% of the world’s population carries trait genes for hemoglobin disorders.
16. With a full range of newborn screening and vaccination in place around the world, 5 million lives could be saved by the year 2050.
17. Although this disease is primarily found in the African-American or Black population demographics, it in all racial and ethnic demographics.
18. 57%. That’s the percentage of worldwide sickle cell anemia cases that are found in just three countries: India, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
19. The number of hospitalizations that occur in the United States because of sickle cell anemia every year: 15,000.
Condition and Symptoms
In the past, sickle cell anemia and diseases were very deadly, but treatment options have been developed which can help many with this health concern to live long, fulfilling lives. It is most common in central and western Africa, however, which means that these new treatment options are not always available where they are needed. Although there isn’t a cure for this disease, improvements in overall care has allowed most children to grow up into adulthood.
The greatest challenge in treating sickle cell anemia, in fact, is transitioning from a childhood disease to an adult disease. As late as 1960, this was considered a childhood issue since most kids born with the disease didn’t live long enough to reach adulthood. When attacks occur with this disease, which are called crises, a number of symptoms may make themselves known. Paleness and fatigue are common, as is difficulty breathing. Jaundice, pain, and even strokes have been known to occur as well. When severe enough, hospitalization is required and may lead to long-term complications.
The problem comes with the shape of the red blood cells. Normal blood cells are round in nature and quite flexible. This allows them to fit through the capillaries of the body and transport oxygen throughout the entire circulatory system. The malformed red blood cells in sickle cell not only carry less oxygen per cell, but are less flexible as well. This can lead to less blood movement in the body and even a backup of the circulatory system. That’s why knowing these statistics is so important.
Treatment and Prevention
If 15,000 hospitalizations occur in a nation where treatment options for sickle cell anemia are modern and proactive, then imagine how many hospitalizations could take place around the world. Imagine how that would improve care for the millions of people who are suffering from this disease. The advantage of avoiding a small malaria infection is slight when compared to the possibilities of pain, stroke, and death.
As with most genetic mutations or disorders, the effects are more negative than positive. It is only because of modern medicine that we’ve been able to save so many lives as of late. One of the biggest advancements has been the inclusion of a vaccine that has helped to prevent the most common infections that affect children and adults with this disorder.
Children with sickle cell anemia in the past were severely restricted in what they could do in the past. That is no longer the case today. Children are encouraged to play sports, be active, and have as normal a childhood as possible. They face certain challenges over the course of their life and they may require a hospitalization here or there because of a crisis, but in general terms, the developed world is close to conquering this disorder.
Now the attention must shift from being local to being global. 9 out of 10 children in the world today outside of the developed nations are not going to receive any treatment for their condition. This is why 5 million lives could be saved in the next 40 years. There have been some remarkable achievements in the last 4 decades. Now we need to press on to have more remarkable advancements in the four decades to come.