Congenital Diseases: Sickle-cell anemia

Sickle-cell anemia
This genetically caused form of anemia is named after the shape the red blood cells assume as a result of this condition. It typically affects people of African, Mediterranean, East Indian and Middle Eastern descent and rarely people of European descent.
The characteristic shape of these red blood cells creates blockages or clogging of the small blood vessels throughout the body resulting in greatly diminished delivery of oxygen to tissues and cells.