Patient's question:
After the child in a friend's family was born, their physical constitution has never been particularly good, and their immunity is very weak, especially prone to catching colds. Later, after undergoing thorough examinations at the hospital, it was discovered that they had sickle cell anemia. What is the fundamental cause of sickle cell anemia?Doctor's answer:
Sickle cell anemia is a familial genetic disease that was discovered in the early 20th century. Sickle cell anemia primarily occurs in Black populations, with the highest incidence among African Black people. In countries along the Mediterranean coast, such as Italy and Greece, as well as in India, the number of cases is also significant. In southern China, cases of this type have also been identified. This is a special form of anemia, named so because the red blood cells of patients are not the normal disc shape but instead bent into a sickle-like form.