Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there is not enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs) to carry oxygen through the body. The RBCs are normally round and move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anaemia, they are shaped like sickles or ‘C’. In sickle cell anaemia, the RBCs are rigid and sticky and can get stuck in small blood vessels. This can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to other parts of the body.
