Acute Chest Syndrome

Sickle cell disease (SCD) or anemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a severe lung-related complication of sickle cell disease that affects both children and adults. It creates a pneumonia like illness and is one of the leading causes of morbidity, hospitalizations and death in children and adults living with sickle cell disease. ACS occurs when sickle red blood cells block blood vessels in the lungs. This is considered an emergency and may be life threatening.