sickle cell anemia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Sickle cell anemia (HbSS) is the most common and often most severe form of sickle cell disease. The term 'sickle cell disease' is an umbrella term that includes other genotypes like HbSC and HbS beta thalassemia.

The only currently established cure is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, but this is a risky procedure and requires a matched donor. Other treatments manage symptoms and prevent complications.

It is most common in people whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Central America, Saudi Arabia, India, and Mediterranean countries like Greece and Turkey, as the sickle cell trait offers some protection against malaria.

A person with sickle cell anemia has inherited two copies of the faulty haemoglobin gene (one from each parent) and has the disease. A person with the sickle cell trait has inherited only one copy and is generally a healthy carrier, but can pass the gene to their children.

A severe hereditary form of anaemia where the red blood cells develop an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape.

Sickle cell anemia is usually formal / medical / academic in register.

Sickle cell anemia: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk.əl sel əˈniː.mi.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk.əl sel əˈniː.mi.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.