Sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition characterized by abnormalities in the shape of the body's red blood cells. Sickle-shaped cells periodically block blood flow to parts of the body and adversely affect the functioning of the spleen and liver. According to the Mayo Clinic, infants with sickle cell anemia may begin to show early signs of the disease after the age of 4 months.
Hand-Foot Syndrome
Hand-foot syndrome is a condition that occurs when sickle cells accumulate and prevent blood flow out of the extremities, causing the hands and feet to swell. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is often the first noticeable symptom among babies with sickle cell anemia.
Frequent Infections
According to the UCSF Children's Hospital, infants and children with sickle cell anemia are particularly vulnerable to frequent, life-threatening infections, particularly those caused by bacteria such as various blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis.
Children who are frequently and severely ill should be evaluated by their doctors for sickle cell anemia and immunized with penicillin to help fight off further infection. Any child with sickle cell who develops a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above should be treated by a doctor immediately, according to KidsHealth.org.
Anemia
Because sickle-shaped cells are fragile, they break apart easily, leaving affected children with too few healthy red blood cells and a condition known as anemia. Symptoms of anemia can include pale skin, a rapid heart rate and fatigue.
Jaundice
The liver may sometimes become overtaxed in those with sickle cell anemia, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can lead to jaundice--a condition characterized by a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
Acute Chest Syndrome
Children may develop an infection called acute chest syndrome. The condition is characterized by an inflammation and blockage of blood vessels in the lung and can cause symptoms such as coughing, problems breathing, chest pain and fever. According to the UCSF Children's Hospital, acute chest syndrome is life-threatening and requires prompt treatment in a hospital setting.
Overt Physical Signs
While infants and young children may not be able to describe how they are feeling, there are some overt physical signs that may indicate they are suffering from problems related to sickle cell disease. For example, sickle cell anemia can cause pain crises--episodes lasting hours or days that occur when blood flow is blocked to parts of the body. These episodes can cause pain that varies in intensity and sometimes requires hospitalization, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your child complains of pain or cries inconsolably for no apparent reason, consult with your physician.
If blood flow to the brain becomes blocked by sickle-shaped cells, a stroke may occur. Outward signs of a stroke include seizures, loss of consciousness, loss of speech or the ability to understand speech and paralysis or loss of function of the arms, legs or face on one side of the body.
According to KidsHealth.org, sickle cell anemia can also cause an aplastic crisis--a condition in which the number of red blood cells drops dramatically due to infection. Symptoms are similar to severe anemia, and include pale skin, a rapid pulse, weakness, excessive sleeping and fatigue.
According to the Mayo Clinic, young children may also show delayed growth patterns and fail to meet normal developmental milestones. This can occur because a lack of blood and oxygen to the body's tissues keeps the child from thinking and physically moving at a normal level.
