Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of hemoglobin S (HbS) and a significant reduction in normal hemoglobin A (HbA) in red blood cells. In deoxygenated conditions, HbS molecules polymerize, causing vascular occlusions and hemolysis. Pulmonary complications associated with this disease result from vascular occlusion, ischemia-reperfusion, and inflammation. Literature reports that asthma is observed in 30% to 70% of patients with sickle cell disease. We present the case of a boy whose sickle cell disease diagnosis was established following an asthma attack.
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