Pediatric sickle cell anemia: Working together to fulfill your child's dreams

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia. Normal red blood cells are smooth and flexible. Shaped like the letter "O," they easily move through your child’s blood vessels. Sickle cells become rigid and sticky and are shaped like the letter "C." These oddly shaped cells tend to cluster together and get stuck in the small blood vessels, slowing or blocking blood flow and oxygen.

Signs and symptoms

• Easily tired

• Anemia

• Episodes of pain

• Painful swelling in hands and feet

• Frequent infections

• Delayed growth

• Vision problems

Diagnosis

Your child’s doctor will do a full physical exam and take a detailed medical history. They will also request a blood test to determine the type of hemoglobin your child has, if they have sickle cell anemia or if they are a carrier of the disease. 

Treatment

• Medications, including pain-relievers and antibiotics, are used to reduce pain and prevent complications.

• Blood transfusion. This is a routine medical procedure in which donated blood is used to replace blood that's been lost. 

• Bone marrow transplant

Fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders

UW Health Kids | Carbone Cancer Center experts are national research leaders. We test new therapies and continue to work on therapies for pediatric cancer and blood disorders. For many children with rare or hard-to-treat conditions, clinical trials provide new options.

Search our clinical trials

Your child’s team will include:

• Child life specialists

• Hematologists (blood disease doctors)

• Nurse practitioners

• Nurses and transfusion medicine specialists

• Pain management specialists

• Physical, occupational and speech therapists

• Radiologists and radiation technologists

• Social workers

• Surgeons

UW Health Kids | Carbone Cancer Center hematologists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating all infants, children and adolescents with blood disorders, including sickle cell anemia.

At American Family Children’s Hospital, you will find a friendly, child-centered environment. Our hospital is designed with relaxing spaces and areas where children are encouraged to play.

When your child needs hospitalization, they will be admitted to American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wis.

Child life specialists help your child and family cope with any fears and anxieties. The American Family Children's Hospital patient and family visitor guide features information about:

• Hero beads

• Hospital school

• Positive Image Center

• Restoring Hope Transplant House (for blood and bone marrow transplant)

• Spiritual care services

• Tyler's Place (sibling child care)