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Sickle Cell Disease Treatment in Flowood, MS

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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. SCD is caused by a change (mutation) in the gene that tells the body how to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This change causes the hemoglobin to form stiff rods inside the red cells, making them sickle-shaped. These sickle-shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing pain and other serious problems. Individuals with sickle cell disease suffer from acute episodes of pain, have anemia causing fatigue and weakness, are at increased risk of infection, and can have other complications such as strokes, joint issues, vision problems, lung disease, and heart disease.

If you have sickle cell disease, it is important that you receive care at a comprehensive sickle cell treatment center that understands how to manage your disease and the potential complications. These centers provide evidence-based therapies including curative options, access to clinical trials and future therapies, and can coordinate your care with other specialists. They have multi-disciplinary teams that can help address all of your medical, social, psychological, and educational needs that may arise because of your sickle cell disease.

The Comprehensive Lifespan Sickle Cell Center at Southern Specialty Clinic can provide this care for you with access to current therapies, future therapies, and potentially curative options. We care about you and want you to live your best life possible. Come see us today!

Website Links

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Mississippi Sickle Cell Foundation

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Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

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Sickle Cell Disease Foundation

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American Society of Hematology (ASH) Research Collaborative

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NIH Clinical Trials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders that affect the red blood cells. Normally, red blood cells are round and flexible, allowing them to move easily through blood vessels. In SCD, the red blood cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like a crescent or “sickle.” These sickle-shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing pain and other serious problems such as strokes, acute chest syndrome, priapism, kidney disease, and heart failure.
Why does Sickle Cell Disease happen?
SCD is caused by a change (mutation) in the gene that tells the body how to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This change causes the hemoglobin to form stiff rods inside the red cells, making them sickle-shaped. Sickling of the red blood cell can be triggered by cold temperatures, dehydration, stress, and infection.
Who gets Sickle Cell Disease?
SCD is inherited, meaning it is passed from parents to children through genes. It is most common in people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian ancestry, but it can affect anyone. In the United States, it is estimated that about 100,000 people are affected with sickle cell disease. Approximately 1 in 365 Black or African Americans and 1 in 16,300 Hispanics are born with sickle cell disease each year. Based on population census, Mississippi has approximately 3,000 people living with sickle cell disease.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of SCD can vary, but common problems include:

  • Pain episodes, often referred to as “crises”: Sudden pain, often in the bones, chest, or joints, caused by blocked blood flow.
  • Anemia (low hemoglobin): Tiredness, weakness, and pale skin because sickle cells die faster than normal cells.
  • Frequent infections: Sickle cells can damage the spleen, an organ that helps fight infection.
  • Delayed growth: Children with SCD may grow more slowly and reach puberty later than their peers.
  • Other complications: These can include problems with the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs.
How is Sickle Cell Disease diagnosed?

SCD can be diagnosed with a blood test called hemoglobin electrophoresis. Hemoglobin electrophoresis looks at the different types of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. There are several types of hemoglobin, and people with sickle cell disease have an abnormal type called hemoglobin S (HbS).

In Mississippi, every newborn undergoes a newborn screening test which is a routine blood test done shortly after birth to check for certain serious health conditions, including sickle cell disease. If the test shows signs of sickle cell disease or another blood disorder, you will be connected with a team of specialists who can help you learn about the condition and start treatment right away. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to help get proper care and prevent serious complications.

How does hemoglobin electrophoresis work?
  • A small sample of blood is taken, usually from a vein in your arm or from a finger or heel stick in babies.
  • The blood is placed on a special gel or paper and an electric current is applied.
  • The different types of hemoglobin move (or “travel”) at different speeds in the electric field, separating them into bands.
  • The lab can then see which types of hemoglobin are present and how much of each type you have.
What do the results mean?
  • Sickle Cell Disease: If the test shows mostly hemoglobin S (and little or no normal hemoglobin A), this confirms sickle cell disease.
  • Sickle Cell Trait: If both hemoglobin A and hemoglobin S are present, this means you carry the sickle cell trait but do not have the disease.
  • Other Findings: The test can also detect other hemoglobin disorders, such as hemoglobin C disease or thalassemia.
Can Sickle Cell Disease be cured?

Curative options for sickle cell disease include stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. Stem cell transplantation replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy donor cells, offering a high chance of cure, but it requires a matched donor and carries risks such as infection and graft-versus-host disease. Gene therapy uses a patient’s own cells, modified to produce healthy hemoglobin or fetal hemoglobin, and is approved for patients 12 and older with severe disease; it avoids donor issues but still requires chemotherapy and has a high cost and limited long-term data. Both options are considered for patients with severe complications or frequent pain crises, and decisions should be made with a specialist team based on age, health, and personal preferences.