Complications of SCD: Sleep-Disordered Breathing

For Everyone

At a glance

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders associated with severe pain and complications that can affect the entire body. This page provides information on SCD and sleep-disordered breathing.

A man sleeping in bed.

Overview

SCD can cause lung problems that can lead to breathing-related and sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when breathing repeatedly stops and starts, making it hard to get deep, restorative sleep.

Symptoms

Some symptoms can include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping for air during sleep
  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep – reported by another person
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Irritability

Resources

CDC resources

Steps to Better Lung Health for People with Sickle Cell Disease

Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Other resources

Sleep Disorders | National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus

Sleep Apnea | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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Content Source
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: May 14, 2024

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: August 7, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.