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Malaria Hypothesis
- Sickle cell trait persists because it protects against malaria.
- The mutation makes red blood cells inhospitable to malarial parasites.
Sickling Outcomes
- Sickling has two main negative consequences: vaso-occlusion and hemolysis.
- Vaso-occlusion occurs when sickled cells block microvasculature, while hemolysis results from inflexible RBC membranes.
Avoid Number-Based Transfusions
- Avoid transfusing sickle cell patients solely based on a hemoglobin number.
- Frequent transfusions lead to iron overload, organ damage, and alloimmunization.