sickle cell anemia

noun

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of sickle cell anemia

: a chronic inherited anemia that occurs primarily in individuals of African, Mediterranean, or southwest Asian ancestry who are homozygous for the gene controlling hemoglobin S and that is characterized especially by episodic blocking of small blood vessels by sickle cells — called also sickle cell disease

Recent Examples of sickle cell anemia from the Web

When a couple is known to be at risk for having a child with a specific genetic disorder, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, the woman undergoes a procedure to remove some eggs.

— Washington Post, "Parenting of the future: Many embryos, each with DNA profile," 18 Apr. 2018
It can be used to precisely edit DNA, and scientists are trying to engineer the tech to cure some of the most horrible diseases out there, like cancer and sickle cell anemia.

— alessandra potenza, The Verge, "Rampage may stoke CRISPR fears, but scientists say it could be educational, too," 18 Apr. 2018
Recessive diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, usually require two defective copies of the same gene.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "What’s Behind Many Mystery Ailments? Genetic Mutations, Study Finds," 15 Mar. 2018
Like the time multiple sponsors backed out of an annual charity golf tournament of his where proceeds to to a local sickle cell anemia foundation and summer camp for the foundation.

— clyde verdin, NOLA.com, "Two LSU football players fighting for uncertain futures," 13 Mar. 2018
Last week, the American Idol winner’s 16-year-old step-sister Bryanna Jackson-Frias died following complications from her lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia.

— jeff nelson, PEOPLE.com, "Jordin Sparks Remembers Sister Who Died of Sickle Cell Complications: 'She Was So Strong'," 7 Feb. 2018
Zafari has been a joy for the romance radio host, who had also previously lost another son, 16-year-old Sammy, in 2012 to complications from sickle cell anemia.

— alexia fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Radio Host Delilah's Husband Surprised Her With Pet Zebra in Honor of the Son She Lost to Suicide," 22 Dec. 2017
People with sickle cell anemia carry a mutation that tweaks the structure of hemoglobin, the molecule that ferries oxygen through our blood.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "170-year-old mystery solved: Why deer have deformed blood cells just like some people," 18 Dec. 2017
Daniel Williams, a 4-year-old with sickle cell anemia, talked excitedly about the presents he's requested from Santa — basketball video games NBA 2K15 and NBA 2K11.

— mary spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Complete wonderment:' Children with life-threatening illnesses soar at 'Flight to the North Pole' in Milwaukee," 9 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sickle cell anemia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sickle cell anemia

1922

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary