Understand sickle cell trait. Learn about testing. Know if you’re a carrier.
Worldwide, more than 100 million people have sickle cell trait. And many people carry the trait without knowing. It’s important to understand the facts about
sickle cell trait, so you can know what to expect for yourself and your family.
Sickle cell trait is a blood disorder that runs in families. In some cases, the red blood cells may form the shape of a sickle or crescent moon, but for most people the blood cells will be normal and round. Typically, people with SCT don’t experience any health issues because of the trait — but it can happen.
To have the trait, it means that one of
your parents passed it down to you at birth. You inherit the trait from only one parent, which is a key difference between SCT and sickle cell disease (SCD).
Sickle Cell
Trait VS Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell trait is not a disease, even though it can bring health problems.
SCT and SCD are closely related, but they aren’t the same. With SCT, you have inherited one sickle cell gene from one parent, and a “normal” gene from the other. To have sickle cell disease, this means you’ve inherited two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. (In some types of sickle cell disease, you’ve inherited one sickle cell
gene and a different type of “abnormal hemoglobin” from each parent.) Having a second sickle cell gene (or abnormal hemoglobin) makes all the difference.
Health Problems And Complications
Generally, people with sickle cell trait are able to lead normal, healthy and happy lives. Most people don’t experience the pain crises and other
issues more commonly associated with sickle cell disease. However, there are specific health problems to watch out for, even though they’re not common.
In particular, people with SCT:
May be more likely to have urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Might see blood in their urine (or pee)
May have pain crises
Are You A
Carrier Of SCT?
Learn about testing.
Knowing your trait status is key, for you and your family. A simple blood test is all it takes.
If you do have the trait, you’ll then know what health issues to look out for and can take steps to keep yourself well. You’ll also know your chances of passing SCT on to future children, as well as their likelihood of developing sickle cell disease.
In some US states, you may be able to receive free SCT
testing. Please check with your local clinic or hospital to see what’s available. You can also check online for services near you. In the US today, most newborns are automatically screened for SCT. Check your children’s health records to verify this information.
Learn More AboutSickle Cell Trait from These Great Resources:
FAMILY PLANNING
“Although I work at a hospital I wasn’t really
aware of what it [sickle cell trait] was. I was not really into it, as far as information wise, it was an older time. There was not a lot of information out there. We went into genetic counseling once I got with my partner now and we found out that he had the trait, so yeah.”
- Caira, an adult carrier of SCT
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A trait is something unique about you, like your hair or eye color. Traits are passed down (inherited) from your parents. Genes carry information that makes a trait. People with sickle cell trait (SCT) have 1 sickle cell gene and 1 normal gene.
Having sickle cell
trait is not the same as having sickle cell disease (SCD).
Sickle cell trait means you could pass sickle cell trait or disease to your children.
People with sickle cell trait live a normal life. They usually don’t have symptoms of sickle cell disease.
People of any race or background can have sickle cell trait; however, it occurs in 1 out of every 12 African Americans.
Passing on Sickle Cell Trait or Sickle Cell Disease
If you
inherit 1sickle cell gene (S) and 1normal,non-sickle gene (A), then you have sickle cell trait. You are a carrier for sickle cell disease.
It’s important to know if your partner has sickle
cell trait or disease. If they have either one, a child you have together could have sickle cell disease (Picture 1).
If you and your partner both have sickle cell trait, your child could have:
AA - 25 % chance of 2 normal genes with normal red blood cells.
AS - 50% chance of 1 normal gene and 1 sickle gene. This is sickle cell trait. They will have a few sickled cells.
SS - 25% chance of 2
sickle genes; this is sickle cell disease.
If 1 parent with sickle cell trait and 1 parent with abnormal hemoglobin have a child, that child could also have sickle cell disease. This abnormal hemoglobin can include beta thalassemia, hemoglobin C, or hemoglobin E.
In the US, all newborns are screened for sickle cell trait and disease.
Problems with Sickle Cell Trait
Rarely, people with sickle cell trait can have similar symptoms as someone
with sickle cell disease. This typically happens under extreme conditions, such as:
Are at a very high height (altitude).
Have low oxygen from extreme exercising. This could be something like military boot camp or training for an athletic event.
Don’t have enough water in your body (severely dehydrated).
Go deep sea or scuba diving.
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is caused by abnormal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is part of
our red blood cells that carry oxygen.
It is a life-long blood disease.
Normal red blood cells are smooth and round. Sickled red blood cells are hard, sticky, and shaped like a banana.
Sickled cells have a hard time moving through small blood vessels because of their shape. They can pile up and clog vessels. When clogging happens, blood can’t carry oxygen to certain body parts.
More Information
For more information about sickle cell trait, contact the
Sickle Cell Comprehensive Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital at (614) 722-3250.
You can also visit: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/toolkit.html
Is sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia the same?
What is Sickle Cell Trait? People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually do not have any of the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), but they can pass the trait on to their children.
What are the 3 types of sickle cell?
There are several types of sickle cell disease. The most common are: Sickle Cell Anemia (SS), Sickle Hemoglobin-C Disease (SC), Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia and Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia.
What is the difference between sickle cell anemia and anemia?
Sickled cells keep red blood cells from doing their job, which is carrying oxygen throughout your body. Sickled cells also don't live as long as normal red blood cells. As a result, you don't have enough healthy red blood cells and you develop anemia, the condition that gives sickle cell anemia its name.
What are the different types of sickle cell traits?
The four main types of sickle cell anemia are caused by different mutations in these genes..
Hemoglobin SS disease. ... .
Hemoglobin SC disease. ... .
Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia. ... .
Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia. ... .
Hemoglobin SD, hemoglobin SE, and hemoglobin SO. ... .
