Sickle cell anemia in an American white boy of Greek ancestry

A 7-year-old American white boy of Greek ancestry had sickle cell anemia. The disease in this patient was not accompanied by painful episodes or recognizable hematologic complications, although he did demonstrate considerable delay in skeletal maturation. The patient sought medical attention for a dermatologic problem that was ultimately diagnosed as pityriasis rubra pilaris. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstrated example of sickle cell anemia in a white male described in the United States.