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Explain how the mutation would cause the clinical manifestations of sickle cell anemia?

Explain how the mutation would cause the clinical manifestations of sickle cell anemia?

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Sickle cell anemia is a form of anemia which is inherited genetically, the condition is characterized by the abnormality of the red blood cells to carry oxygen. The condition causes the red blood cells to be sickle shaped. This is caused due to the mutation in the gene known as hemoglobin beta (HBB) present on chromosome 11. The mutation results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin in the RBC. This mutation causes a change in the amino acid sequence of hemoglobin from glutamic acid to valine. This produces HbS instead of HbA. This results in the sickle shape of the RBC molecule instead of doughnut shape. This causes blockages in the blood vessels as the sickle shaped RBC gets stuck.

The clinical manifestations that arise because of this are:

  • There is a chronic pain in the abdomen, chest and the joints.
  • The most common among the manifestations is a vaso-occlusive crisis. this is caused when there is an obstruction in the microcirculation of the blood and there is an ischemic injury in the organ to which the blood is being supplied. This causes pain and sometimes causes hospitalization.
  • There can be a pain in the bone which arises due to the bone marrow infraction.
  • Splenic sequestration can occur in the child during early years and has the highest frequency. The complication is characterized by enlargement of the spleen and has a high count of reticulocyte.
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