Help the Child with Sickle Cell Disease Thrive and Grow

Sickle Cell Disease is highly prevalent on the African continent. Sickle Cell disease is a hereditary condition with no cure. It causes red blood cells to change shape and block small blood vessels, causing excruciating pain, organ problems or damage. Many children with Sickle Cell Disease on the African continent die before they reach 5 years old. They have slow growth in height and muscle mass. The have numerous hospital visits due to pain and are prone to infections. There are triggers to the pain.  They have increased metabolic rate which increases their nutritional needs. Due to pain, they have problems eating causing their nutritional needs to go unmet. With proper feeding with nutrient dense foods and supplements, a child with Sickle Cell disease can thrive and grow, maybe, live past their fifth birthday.