WYZE's Morehouse School of Medicine Community Connections Sept. 11 radio show addressed National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and the efforts involved in Georgia regarding sickle cell disease awareness and education. From left, Jackie George, Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Inc, JoAnn Beasley, Georgia Department of Public Health sickle cell program consultant, and Lisa Goodin, Morehouse School of Medicine.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding families of the importance of newborn screening to detect sickle cell disease and trait during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

Each year, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Section, Newborn Screening Program, identifies 150 to 200 infants with sickle cell disease (SCD) and more than 3,000 infants with the sickle cell trait. It is estimated that Georgia has the third largest sickle cell disease populations in the nation.

That is reason enough for Georgia to be one of seven states selected to participate in the Registry and Surveillance System for Hemoglobinopathies (RuSH) project. This project is designed to collect information to learn about people living with sickle cell disease. This information will lead to a better understanding of the health status and practices of Georgians with the disease and to identify areas to make improvements in the delivery of health care for children and adults with the disease.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. These crescent-shaped red blood cells resemble a sickle (hand-held agricultural tool) and give the disease its name. The cells become hard and pointed instead of soft and round. These hard and pointed cells block small blood vessels and cause problems with blood flowing to that part of the body. Some medical problems caused by this blockage include lung tissue damage, pain episodes and stroke. There is also damage to major organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver.

The human body usually has four normal hemoglobin genes. Approximately two million persons carry one abnormal hemoglobin gene, which is commonly known as having sickle cell trait. Sickle cell disease occurs when abnormal hemoglobin genes are inherited from both parents which means it is passed from the parent on to the unborn child.
 
Although sickle cell disease is found more frequently in persons of Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean and African heritage, all infants, including those born at home, should be screened. The screening test is important because most infants do not show signs of SCD until they are a several months old. In the U.S., SCD affects between 70,000 and 100,000 Americans and is more common among African Americans. Early diagnosis and treatment prolongs life. The Georgia Newborn Screening Program is committed to protecting and improving the health of infants by assuring all newborns receive appropriate screening, follow-up and medical services.

There is no universal cure for SCD. However, bone marrow transplants are performed for patients with severe complications or risk factors. Research in gene therapy, the ultimate universal cure, is currently underway.

Free testing for sickle cell disease and trait can be arranged by contacting the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Inc. at (404) 755-1641. For more information about SCD, visit http://www.sicklecellga.org/ or www.scinfo.org.

-Story by JoAnn Beasley, sickle cell program consultant, Newborn Screening Unit