8 Signs Your Child May Have Sickle Cell Disease

World Sickle Cell Day is on June 19.

Bad Blood - Sickle cell disease, which occurs when red blood cells are stiff, sticky and sickle-shaped rather than round, affects 1 in every 500 Black children born in the United States, versus 1 in every 58,000 whites. While it is present at birth, most children aren’t diagnosed until months later and not all states test newborns for it. This World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) check out the symptoms and see if your child is struggling with this disease. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Dann Tardiff/LWA/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Bad Blood - Sickle cell disease, which occurs when red blood cells are stiff, sticky and sickle-shaped rather than round, affects 1 in every 500 Black children born in the United States, versus 1 in every 58,000 whites. While it is present at birth, most children aren’t diagnosed until months later and not all states test newborns for it. This World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) check out the symptoms and see if your child is struggling with this disease. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Dann Tardiff/LWA/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Bad Blood

Shortness of Breath - Does your little one seem to have difficulty breathing while being still, crying, playing or even during sleep? Even if this isn’t paired with any other symptoms, shortness of breath always signals a need for medical attention. (Photo: Daniel Grill/Tetra Images/Corbis)

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Shortness of Breath

Headache - Headaches can manifest in many different ways in folks with sickle cell disease. If your child suffers from intense or repeated headaches, call his pediatrician. (Photo: John Lund/Annabelle Breakey/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Headache

Dizziness - A child may not be able to tell you that she feels dizzy, so look for the outward signs, such as unsteadiness on her feet, otherwise compromised balance and spaciness. (Photo: Dann Tardiff/LWA/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Dizziness

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Cold and Swollen Hands and Feet - This is often the first sign parents notice. If your child’s hands and feet are swollen or inexplicably cold to the touch, it could be a sign of sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking the flow of blood to their extremities. (Photo: Simon Jarratt/Corbis)

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Cold and Swollen Hands and Feet

Fatigue - Sickle cells live just 20 days, versus 120 days for healthy red blood cells. But the body cannot keep up production fast enough to replace them, which causes a shortage (anemia). This shortage causes a drop in oxygen levels, which results in fatigue. It manifests as sleeping longer or more often and general lethargy. (Photo: Inti St. Clair/Corbis)

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Fatigue

Slow Growth - If your child is slowly dropping below the growth curve in weight and height, it could be a sign that anemia is causing a failure to thrive. (Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Slow Growth

Pain - A sickle cell crisis causes pain in areas where blood cells block blood flow. It’s often felt in the hands, arms, legs and lower back. Some kids also report pain in their abdomens, joints and chest. It can be brought on by infection, dehydration, overexertion, cold weather, cold drinks and even swimming. It is often preceded by jaundice and extreme thirst. (Photo: Larry Williams/Corbis)

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Pain