Sickle Cell Disease in Early Infancy: A Case Report

Sickle cell disease (SCD) refers to a group of hereditary disorders that result in faulty hemoglobin carriage by the red blood cells. This paper discusses an atypical presentation of SCD in early infancy. Despite current literature suggesting protection by fetal hemoglobin in the first few months of life, we report a diagnosis of SCD at 2 months of age with severe symptoms requiring hospitalization. It is therefore important for clinicians to raise their clinical index of suspicion of SCD in children presenting with severe anemia even though they are less than 6 months old and do not present with classic dactylitis or pain syndromes. Expansion and sustained newborn screening programs for SCD in developing countries could help clinicians and parents plan for early treatment, appropriate prophylaxis, and improved management of SCD complications.