Treatment

Sickle Cell has no widely available cure, only treatments that relieve symptoms.

Hydroxyurea

This is the most commonly used drug in treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia. This is a anti-neoplastic drug taken daily used to reduce the amount of Sickle Cell crisis by 50%. Treatment with Hydroxyurea has shown reduce the occurrence of Acute Chest Syndrome, need fewer blood transfusions and has shown to normalise growth in children. Hydroxyurea increases the amount of foetal Haemoglobin present in the blood. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, rash, itchiness, constipation, or drowsiness are common side effects.

Blood tansfunsions

This is used to treat Anaemia or splenic complications. Side effects include Iron build up and a risk of infection.

Infections

Doses of Penicillin are used to treat infections. Up until age 5, children with Sickle Cell Anaemia are given daily doses of Penicillin, along with Folic Acid to prevent some Sickle Cell complications.

Treating the complications:

Acute Chest Syndrome is treated at hospital with oxygen, blood transfusions, antibiotics and pain medication.

Leg Ulcers are treated using strong pain medication with cleaning fluid and creams. Skin grafts can be used if the condition persists.

Gallbladder surgery is needed if the Gallstones lead to Gallbladder disease.

Priapism can be treated with fluids or surgery.

Bone marrow transplants

This is the transfusion of healthy bone marrow into a person after their unhealthy marrow has been destroyed. This is the only known cure of Sickle Cell but until recently the surgery has had too many complications to be viable. As Sickle Cell is not immediately life threatening this surgery was not allowed to go ahead. A new method called a reduced intensity bone marrow transplant was first performed in 1999 by Dr. Krishnamurti, the first successful transplant was in 2003 with the patient being free of Sickle Cell Anaemia after the operation.

 Gene therapy

This is the insertion of normal DNA into cells to correct a genetic disorder. This treatment has already been able to cure Sickle Cell in mice, although there are many obstacles scientists hope that that this will be a cure for Sickle cell in the future.

New medication

Butyric Acid: A food additive that may increase normal Haemoglobin in the blood.

Nitric Oxide: This medicine may make blood vessels less sticky and keep blood vessels open.  People suffering from Sickle Cell have low levels of Nitric Oxide in their blood.

Decitadine:  This increases Foetal Haemoglobin, may be used instead of Hydroxyurea.