Increased infection risk in sickle cell anemia is primarily due to:

• A. Splenic dysfunction
• B. Poor nutrition
• C. Excessive neutrophils
• D. Autoimmune thyroid disease

Answer: (A)

In sickle cell anemia, repeated splenic infarctions lead to functional asplenia, so the spleen loses its ability to filter bacteria from the bloodstream and to produce opsonizing antibodies effectively. The spleen is especially important for defending against encapsulated organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and other bacteria. When splenic function is lost, these bacteria can invade more easily, increasing the risk of serious infections and sepsis. This is why vaccination and penicillin prophylaxis are emphasized in care for individuals with sickle cell disease. The other options don’t explain this specific vulnerability: nutrition can affect overall health but doesn’t account for the distinct risk from loss of splenic function; having high neutrophil counts or autoimmune thyroid disease isn’t the driving reason for the infection pattern seen in sickle cell patients.