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Sickle-Cell Trait Information

Why am I receiving Sickle Cell information?

The NCAA now requires that all incoming varsity athletes be given information on sickle cell anemia and be offered screening for this at the

Colleges or Universities they are matriculating at. The Varsity athlete must either receive the screening blood test or sign a written waiver

that they will not accept the test.

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle Cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Normal red blood cells are round like doughnuts, and they move through

small blood tubes in the body to deliver oxygen. Sickle red blood cells become hard, sticky and shaped like sickles used to cut wheat. When

these hard and pointed red cells go through the small blood tube, they clog the flow and break apart. This can cause pain, damage and a low

blood count, or anemia.

What makes the red cell sickle?

There is a substance in the red cell called hemoglobin that carries oxygen inside the cell. One little change in this substance causes the

hemoglobin to form long rods in the red cell when it gives away oxygen. These rigid rods change the red cell into a sickle shape. This causes

the red cells to get caught in small blood vessels and cause tissue death when the individual who has it is under physical stress.

How do you get sickle cell anemia?

You inherit the abnormal hemoglobin gene from both parents who may be carriers with sickle cell trait or parents with sickle cell disease. You

cannot catch it. You are born with the sickle cell hemoglobin and it is present for life.

Is Sickle Cell only in African Americans?

Sickle cell is most common in individuals of African or Caribbean descent. Although, not as commonly, it can occur in individuals of Arabic,

Greek, Italian, and Indian descent.

How can I be Tested?

A simple blood test called the hemoglobin electrophoresis can be done by your doctor or local sickle cell foundation. This test will tell if you

are a carrier of the sickle cell trait or if you have the disease.

Newborn Screening

Most States now perform the sickle cell test on all newborn infants. The simple blood test will detect sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait.

You may check with your pediatrician to see if you have already been screened. Other types of traits that may be discovered include:

Hemoglobin C trait, Hemoglobin E trait, Hemoglobin Barts - which indicates an alpha thalassemia trait

What is sickle cell trait?

Sickle cell trait is a person who carries one sickle hemoglobin producing gene inherited from their parents and one normal hemoglobin gene.

Normal hemoglobin is called type A. Sickle hemoglobin called S. Sickle cell trait is the presence of hemoglobin AS on the hemoglobin

electrophoresis. This will NOT cause sickle cell disease. Other hemoglobin traits common in the United States are AC and AE traits.

Are there different types of sickle cell disease?

There are three common types of sickle cell disease in the United States.

1. Hemoglobin SS or or sickle cell anemia

2. Hemoglobin SC disease

3. Hemoglobin sickle beta-thalassemia

Each of these can cause sickle pain episodes and complications, but some are more common than others. All of these may also have an

increase in fetal hemoglobin which can protect the red cell from sickling and help prevent complications. The medication hydroxyurea also

increases fetal hemoglobin.

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