Sickle cell disease (SCD) manifests itself as a chronic hemolytic anemia. There is slowed growth and development in children with sickle cell anemia, who may present with dactylitis. In addition to the general symptoms of anemia (fatigue, weakness, pallor etc.) patients are prone to infection, cardiomegaly, usually due to iron deposits from frequent transfusions, and bone and organ infarcts. Male patients can experience priapism.
Patients with SCD can experience vaso-occlusive, hemolytic, sequestration, and aplastic crises. The major symptom in SCD is pain. Pain is a warning sign that is related to vaso-occlusion and life-threatening complications.