Knowledge and awareness of sickle cell anemia among dental students in Riyadh Elm University

Abstract

Anemia is a condition defined as lack of red blood cell or hemoglobin which is carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.1 Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder (IBD) caused by a mutation of the hemoglobin gene that affects hemoglobin structure and morphologic in erythrocytes; resulting in the formation of abnormal, sickle-shaped red blood cells.2 In SCA there is reducing the flow of the blood and oxygen into the body organs and impedes blood flow through small capillaries will cause blockage of blood vessels (i.e., vaso-occlusion).3 Epidemiology of Sickle Cell Disease in the United States, about 72 000 people and 2 million are carriers.4 In Africa, more than 200 000 infants are born yearly with SCD.5 The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is known to have one of the highest prevalence rates of SCD worldwide.6,7