Complications of Sickle Cell Disease

At a glance

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders associated with severe pain and complications that can affect the entire body. Symptoms and complications are different for each person and can range from mild to severe. People with SCD start to have signs of the disease during the first year of life, usually around 5 months of age.

Content Source
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
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Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: May 15, 2024

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: August 7, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.