This fascinating collection examines the socio-economic factors that impact the well-being of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa and the critical importance of patient advocacy in the region. The book looks at a number of key issues, including the social determinants that influence the spread of the disease, the quality of life of children with SCD, the impact of stigma and the broader psychosocial burden of such a prevalent condition. There are also chapters on policy and Public Health management, including collaborations with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and global partners. The second in a two-volume set offering a multi-disciplinary perspective on SCD, this insightful collection highlights many of the hidden issues faced across the region. It will be important reading for students of both Public Health and Medicine, as well as practitioners working for governments or NGOs.

Current data and trends in morbidity and mortality for the sub-Saharan Region as presented in this new edition reflect the heavy toll that HIV/AIDS has had on health indicators, leading to either a stalling or reversal of the gains made, not just for communicable disorders, but for cancers, as well as mental and neurological disorders.

This book addresses a wide range of clinically relevant topics and issues in sickle cell disease. This is written by experts in their own field offering a robust, engaging discussion about the presentations and mechanisms of actions in the multiple complications associated with sickle cell disease. This first of the series addresses pain, which is considered the hallmark of sickle cell presentation. It looks at the basic mechanism of pain in sickle cell disease. A more detailed review of precision medicine gives a clear well laid out presentation that is incisive and yet gives in-depth detail relevant to both the clinician and the researcher in the basic laboratory. The same pattern is shown in the discussion on respiratory, cardiac and neurological complications. The 14 chapters also include an overview of sickle cell disease especially in the paediatric age. The content is organized into well-designed broad sections on overview regarding diagnosis including point of care and the role of digital apps in patient management. A key aspect of the book is the opportunity it affords expert physicians to express well-reasoned opinions regarding complex issues in sickle cell disease. The readership would find that it provides a well-described, concise and immediate applicable answers to complex questions. This is highly recommended for scientists and clinicians alike.

This fascinating collection examines the socio-economic factors that impact the well-being of patients with Sickle-Cell Disease (SCD) in sub-Saharan Africa, and the critical importance of patient advocacy in the region. The book looks at a number of key issues, including the social determinants that influence the spread of the disease, the quality of life of children with SCD, the impact of stigma, and the broader psychosocial burden of such a prevalent condition. There are also chapters on policy and Public Health management, including collaborations with NGOs and global partners. The second in a two-volume set offering a multi-disciplinary perspective on SCD, this insightful collection highlights many of the hidden issues faced across the region. It will be important reading for students of both Public Health and Medicine, as well as practitioners working for governments or NGOs.

Since the first case of sickle cell disease was described in 1910, several efforts have been made to improve its management. However, it remains the leading scourge of our times, with a high level of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and India. There have been few efforts by academia in developing countries towards contributing to in-depth knowledge of sickle cell disease. This volume rectifies this by providing a comprehensive review of sickle cell disease from a multidisciplinary point of view. Bringing together a number of experts in the field, the text highlights details of what is known and areas in which future work and advances are needed. The contributions contain comprehensive information on all aspects of the disease, and provides a solid foundation for future studies.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common cause of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in children and without treatment has a very high rate of recurrence. Acute neurological symptoms and signs are common in SCD at any age, and, as well as stroke, include transient ischaemic attack, headaches, seizures, and coma. An altered mental status with or without reduced level of consciousness, headache, seizures, visual loss, or focal signs can occur spontaneously, but also in numerous contexts, such as infection, acute chest syndrome (ACS), and acute anaemia. Nearly 50 years ago, it was clear from conventional cerebral angiography studies that the large extracranial and intracranial vessels were abnormal in patients with SCD and neurologic deficits, although the pathophysiology is not fully understood from human studies or laboratory models. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound has been used successfully to predict stroke risk in children, although those with abnormal time averaged maximum mean velocity >200 cm/sec may have very high blood flow or arterial stenosis. Although there are relatively few studies with matched controls, silent cerebral infarction on MRI is found in a high proportion of patients with SCD without clinical symptoms, sometimes starting as early as the 6th month of life, steadily accumulating with age, and predicting overt stroke. Meta-analyses have shown that typically siblings, children, and adults with SCD have cognitive difficulties over a wide range of domains, compared with matched controls. This includes processing speed and executive function.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder of the globin chains that causes hemolysis and chronic organ damage. Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD), with a lifelong affliction of hemolytic anemia requiring blood transfusions, pain crises, and organ damage. Since the first description of the irregular sickle-shaped red blood cells (RBCs) more than 100 years ago, our understanding of the disease has evolved tremendously. Recent advances in the field, more so within the last three decades, have alleviated symptoms for countless patients, especially in high-income countries. Although there is evidence of several important therapies in the pipeline, greater investment in research is needed into both of these therapies and the dissemination of effective care to the affected population, especially because of historical mistrust. In this book, we present an overview of sickle cell disease, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, complications, and recent treatment modalities and prospective research that will enable the reader to get a better understanding of this hot topic.

This issue will focus on the global state of hematology and will include articles such as: The Global Burden of Anemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia: Problems in Diagnosis and Therapy, Progress Towards the Control and Management of the Thalassemias, Problems and Approaches for Blood Transfusion in the Developing Countries, and many more!

The Human Genome Project has spawned a Renaissance of research faced with the daunting expectation of personalized medicine for individuals with sickle cell disease in the Genome Era. This book offers a comprehensive and timeless account of emerging concepts in clinical and basic science research, and community concerns of health disparity to educate professionals, students and the general public about meeting this challenging expectation. Contributions from physicians, research scientists, scientific administrators and community workers make Renaissance of Sickle Cell Disease Research in the Genome Era unique among the catalogue of books on this genetic disorder.Part 1 offers detailed review of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's leadership role in funding sickle cell research, as well as developing progressive research initiatives and the predicted impact of the Human Genome Project. Part 2 gives an account of several clinical research perspectives based on the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease. These include recommendations for newborn screening, pain management, stroke, transfusion therapy and pediatric and adult healthcare. Part 3 offers novel insights into basic science research progress and the impact of the Human Genome Project on the direction of hemoglobinopathy research, including hemoglobin switching, bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy. Part 4 engages the reader in a culture-based discussion of the stigma attached to sickle cell disease in the African American community and the apprehensions about genetic research in this community. It concludes with a global perspective on sickle cell disease from African, European and American experiences. For readers seeking a definitive account of sickle cell disease appropriate for students, researchers and community workers, this collaborative effort is an ideal textbook.