Medical expert of the article
New publications
Hemoglobin S-C disease: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Hemoglobin S-C disease is a hemoglobinopathy with symptoms similar to those of sickle cell anemia, but less intense.
Since 10% of blacks have the HbS abnormality, the heterozygous S-C combination is more common than the homozygous HbC form. The anemia of abnormal HbS-C is similar to the HbC abnormality, but is more mild; some patients even have normal hemoglobin levels. Most of the symptoms of the disease are similar to those of sickle cell anemia, but are less intense and less common. However, typical signs are severe hematuria, retinal hemorrhages, and aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. HbS-C disease is suspected in all patients with symptoms of sickle cell anemia or when sickle-shaped erythrocyte morphology is detected. Target cells and occasionally sickle-shaped cells are visible in stained smears. Sickle-shaped cells are identified in special preparations, and electrophoresis is used to confirm the diagnosis.
[