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. 1971 Dec 4;4(5787):593–595. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5787.593

The Sickle-cell and Altitude

R L Green, R G Huntsman, G R Serjeant
PMCID: PMC1799937  PMID: 5130214

Abstract

High altitude seemed to be responsible for seven recent cases of sickling crisis. People with sickle-cell trait are at risk if they fly in unpressurized aircraft, which are used for many local air services. Those with sickle-cell haemoglobin C disease should avoid air travel even in pressurized aircraft. Possibly as a result of “autosplenectomy,” patients with sickle-cell anaemia seem to be able to fly in pressurized aircraft with little risk. All passengers and aircrew who might have some form of sickle-cell disease should be screened before flight.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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