- A fever of 101°F (38°C) or higher
- Pain that doesn’t resolve with medicine
- Chest pain
- Severe headaches or dizziness
- Significant stomach pain or swelling
- Having trouble breathing
- Being extremely tired
- Evidence of jaundice
- A sudden change in vision
- Seizures
- Signs of weakness or trouble moving part of the body
- Slurred speech
- Passing out
- Numbness or tingling
How Sickle Cell Disease Is Diagnosed
In many cases, hemoglobinopathy testing is part of the mandatory checks that are done on newborns. Depending on the state, though, this may not be the case. If it wasn’t done before, a hemoglobin electrophoresis blood test will be used to determine if your child has the sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease.
It’s essential that your baby is diagnosed quickly as untreated sickle cell disease can result in complications. These complications include long-term anemia, permanent lung damage, gallstones, leg ulcers, strokes, damage to the spleen, and an increased risk of getting infections.
Typical Treatment Options For Sickle Cell Disease
Your baby’s treatment plan may vary depending on their age and their symptoms.
The options include blood transfusions to treat issues like anemia, pain medication, and antibiotics to deal with infections.
Hydroxyurea is a medication that is specifically used to reduce the number of sickle cells in the blood. In some cases, children have been given stem cell transplants to completely address their sickle cell disease.
Additionally, children with sickle cell disease will need to be monitored regularly so you should expect an increased number of doctor visits for check-ups. Your doctor might also recommend seeing a nutritionist so your baby can have a sickle cell-friendly diet.
You might not always know why your baby is crying but sickle cell disease may be a real concern if you notice any of the symptoms listed here. Since the complications from this illness can be severe, it’s always best to get to the doctor as soon as possible.