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Blood and immune system diseases

Sickle cell disease

An inherited blood disease in which red blood cells take on a sickle shape and break down quickly. Anemia, pain attacks and frequent infections may occur.

Not part of the panel of Türkiye's National Newborn Screening Programme (heel-prick test). Source

Orphanet has a guideline for emergency doctors for this disease (language: French). See on Orphanet

Prepare an emergency card

This page is translated from the Turkish original.

This disease is followed through the “Blood and immune system diseases” group.

Understanding the disease

This section has not yet been reviewed by a physician. It summarises patient information from sources such as MedlinePlus, Orphanet and the NHS in plain language. The disease can differ from person to person; talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

What happens in this disease?

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood diseases. The red blood cells take on a sickle (crescent) shape and become stiff. These cells break down quickly, which causes anemia. They can block small blood vessels and stop oxygen from reaching the tissues.

Which symptoms can occur?

Symptoms often begin in early childhood. How severe the disease is varies greatly from person to person.

  • Anemia; tiredness and weakness (common)
  • Sudden, severe episodes of pain; they can last hours or weeks (common)
  • Bone and joint pain (common)
  • Frequent infections (common)
  • Swelling in the hands and feet (sometimes)
  • Yellowing of the eyes and skin (sometimes)
  • Breathing problems (sometimes)
  • Serious problems such as stroke or organ damage (sometimes)

How is it diagnosed?

The disease is detected with a blood test. In some health systems, screening is done during pregnancy and in newborns. In newborn screening, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby's heel. Adults can also find out with a blood test whether they are carriers.

Treatment and care

The basis of care is relieving pain and preventing infections. For this, preventive medicines and vaccines are used. When needed, a blood transfusion or exchange transfusion is done. For some people, a stem cell transplant or gene therapy may be considered. The doctor who follows the disease decides which treatment is suitable.

For the family: inheritance and genetic counselling

To have the disease, a person must receive one changed gene from the mother and one from the father. Carriers often do not have the disease, but the gene can be passed on to the child. If the mother and father are carriers, the risk is 1 in 4 in each pregnancy. Genetic counselling is recommended.

Source: MedlinePlus Genetics — Sickle cell disease · NHS — Sickle cell disease

Key facts

These facts are taken from Orphanet and MedlinePlus records (last checked: October 7, 2026). Frequency values are approximate ranges.

You are not alone: patient associations in Türkiye

Non-profit patient and family organizations in Türkiye working on this disease or disease group. Links are for information; Doktorclub is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse them.

For all rare diseases: Nadir Hastalıklar Federasyonu

Links checked on October 8, 2026.

Guides related to this disease

  • Rare disease at school · Telling the school, medicines and emergency plan, inclusion and BEP, support education room, absences, LGS/YKS arrangements, peer bullying.

Support and help

Doktorclub does not diagnose, recommend treatments or refer you to hospitals or doctors. These pages are meant to help you talk with your doctor.

News about Sickle cell

Clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)

A clinical trial is a regulated study that tests whether a new treatment is safe and whether it works, in patients who volunteer. Most trials look for a certain age, genetic change and health condition. Taking part is voluntary.

This list is not a treatment recommendation. Treatments tested in phase 1–3 trials are investigational (experimental): their efficacy and safety have not yet been proven and they are not approved treatments. Taking part depends on each trial’s criteria and a physician’s assessment; the first step is to talk to the doctor who manages your care.

Questions you can ask your doctor

  • Could this trial be suitable for us?
  • If we take part, how would current treatment and check-ups be affected?
  • Where does the trial take place, and how are travel and accommodation handled?
  • What happens if we want to leave the trial?

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 187 active interventional studies for this disease. 111 are recruiting now; 11 have sites in Türkiye. Last checked: October 7, 2026.

Selected records (studies with a site in Türkiye first):

See all studies on ClinicalTrials.gov · Joining clinical trials

Blood and immune system diseases: other news

Medical codes (for talking with your doctor and finding sources)

These codes identify the disease in international classifications and databases. They can help when you talk with your doctor or look for reliable sources.

Orphanet code: ORPHA:275752

No separate ICD-11 code; WHO classifies this disease under: 3A51 (Sickle cell disorders or other haemoglobinopathies)

Codes checked against WHO ICD-11 and Orphanet on October 6, 2026.

This page provides general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your doctor about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

The information on these pages is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment decisions. In an emergency in Türkiye, call 112.

Every update is based on an open source and labeled with its level of evidence. No advertising and no drug brand names. Our scientific principles

This page was translated from Turkish by the Doktorclub editorial team.