Sickle cell anemia is an inherited genetic disorder characterized by the presence of an abnormal type of hemoglobin within red blood cells. This variant of hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to adopt a sickle- or crescent-shaped form. The distorted shape of these cells can obstruct blood vessels, impeding the delivery of oxygen to tissues and resulting in pain, blood clots, and other complications. Sickle cell anemia predominantly affects individuals of African descent and those with ancestral origins in Italy, Greece, India, and the Middle East.
A hereditary blood condition, typically observed primarily in individuals of African descent, in which red blood cells assume a sickle shape.