A magnified image of blood cells in someone with sickle cell.

Sickle Cell
Clinic

Sickle Cell Clinic

Sickle cell disease is a complex condition that affects many aspects of a child’s life and overall health. The UK Sickle Cell Clinic provides treatment and ongoing care for Kentucky children and young adults diagnosed with sickle cell disease. We also educate families so they can provide the best care for their children. In the U.S., sickle cell disease primarily affects African Americans, but it can also impact children whose ancestors come from these countries.

What we treat

Sickle cell is a lifelong blood disorder passed from parents to children. The condition causes irregularly shaped blood cells that are stiff and sticky. Typical red blood cells are smooth and flexible. But sickle cells are shaped like the letter C (or a farm tool called a sickle).

Because of their unusual shape, sickle cells can get stuck in blood vessels and cause clogs. These clogs interrupt the flow of oxygen in the body.

We treat sickle cell and manage symptoms when they happen, including:

Pain: Pain is a common side effect of sickle cell disease. It usually starts suddenly and can happen anywhere in the body.
Anemia: Sickle cells die much more quickly than normal red blood cells. (Normal hemoglobin lasts about 120 days; a sickled hemoglobin lasts 10-21 days.) This can cause a shortage of red blood cells and lead to fatigue. Normal hemoglobin lasts about 120 days; a sickled hemoglobin lasts 10-21 days.
Infection and fever: Sickle cell disease can damage a child’s spleen, making it harder for them to fight off infections.
Acute chest syndrome: This pneumonia-like illness occurs when sickle cells clump in the lungs.
Aplastic crisis: This condition occurs when red blood cell production shuts down, causing severe anemia.
Avascular necrosis: Sickle cells can cut off blood supply to parts of the body, causing bone tissue to die. This can become painful and/or debilitating.
Brain complications: Sickle cell disease can block blood flow to the brain and lead to stroke and brain damage.
Gallstones: When too many sickle cells break down quickly, they release a large amount of bilirubin, which can form into stones. Gallstones can lead to a gallbladder infection.
Iron overload: This complication comes from multiple blood transfusions used in the treatment and management of sickle cell disease. It can cause pain, organ failure and other problems.
Spleen sequestration: Red blood cells can get stuck inside the spleen, causing it to swell. This can lead to a drop in red blood cell count and a medical emergency.
Swollen fingers and toes: Blocked blood flow may cause uncomfortable swelling in the extremities.
Vaso-occlusive crisis: This most common type of sickle cell crisis causes severe pain. It occurs when not enough oxygen-rich blood gets to tissue and organs. Also as sickle cells drag along the vessel wall causing damage, inflammation is increased, resulting in pain.

There are now options for a cure for sickle cell disease, including stem cell transplant and a novel gene therapy that was FDA-approved in December 2023. These treatment options are costly and have risks. We do not offer them at UK HealthCare, but a referral out of state can be made. However, the gold standard of treatment for sickle cell disease is Hydroxyurea, a medicine that can treat certain types of the disease.

Sickle cell treatments

We tailor treatments to your child’s individual needs. Our services include care for children in our clinic and in the hospital:

Newborn screening and genetic counseling: We partner with the Kentucky Newborn Screening Program to offer testing and genetic counseling for families.
Comprehensive care clinic: We offer diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease, including medications and a personalized pain management plan for your child.
Transfusion services: We provide transfusions in our clinic and in the hospital. Services include chronic exchange blood transfusions to reduce iron overload.
Monitoring and management of sickle cell complications: These services include:
- Routine testing for stroke risk
- MRI/MRA testing for neurological complications and to monitor the heart and liver for iron overload
- Hearing and vision testing
Neuropsychological testing: We test for cognitive delays related to sickle cell.
Lung function tests: We monitor for asthma and sleep apnea and offer treatments to prevent acute chest syndrome.
Heart echo: We use heart echo testing to monitor for complications such as cardiomyopathy.
Abdominal ultrasound: We offer ultrasounds to monitor for gallstones and cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder.

Why choose UK HealthCare for sickle cell treatment?

Specialized care and support will help your family navigate this journey. Our program includes:

A highly skilled team: Our pediatric specialists have extensive training and experience treating the unique needs of children with sickle cell. This knowledge helps us manage treatments effectively and meet the needs of your child.
Comprehensive and coordinated services: Children get ongoing monitoring and care from lung, heart, kidney, eye and brain specialists. They also have access to dental and surgical services. We coordinate treatments and work together to ensure seamless care and support.
Family-focused support: We understand the challenges that come with a sickle cell diagnosis, from missed school days and work to the emotional toll of a chronic condition. Our psychologists, social workers, and child life and school intervention specialists help families manage the challenges of school, home and the hospital.
Care when your child needs it: Sickle cell doesn’t follow business hours and neither do we. You can reach our on-call pediatric hematology doctor after hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.

The UK Sickle Cell Clinic is a member of the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers (NASCC). Learn more about NASCC.