At what age does the manifestation of sickle-cell anemia symptoms typically begin?

The manifestation of sickle-cell anemia symptoms typically begins around six months of age. This is when infants begin to produce hemoglobin S, the abnormal type of hemoglobin responsible for the disease. Initially, at birth, babies have fetal hemoglobin (HbF) that prevents the sickling of red blood cells. As they grow and their hemoglobin switches from fetal to adult forms, the symptoms of sickle-cell anemia, such as pain crises and related complications, start to appear, usually becoming noticeable around six months when HbF levels decline and HbS levels increase. Understanding this timing is crucial for early recognition and management of the disease's symptoms in affected infants.