SICKLE CELL TRAIT
CONTENT
What causesSickle Cell
Who’s At Risk
What are the signs and symptoms
How is it treated
What can a parent do
WHAT CAUSESSICKLE CELL
1.Sickle Cell Traitisone of a group of inherited disorders that affect the iron-containing partof the red blood cells called hemoglobin (he-mo-glow-bin.)
a.Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to every part of the body
b.Normal red blood cells move easily through the body because they are soft, round and smooth
c.In patients with Sickle Cell Trait the red blood cells become hard, sticky and shaped like crescents or sickles—thus the name Sickle Cell.
2.The sickle shape of the red blood cellsmakes it difficult for them to move through small blood vessels causing the blood vessels to become blocked.
a.When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels less blood can reach that part of the body
b.This blockage prevents red blood cells from transporting oxygen to the body and results in a shortage of red blood cells, or anemia.
3.Babies inherit Sickle Cell Trait from their mother and father just like eye color or hair color.
a.Sickle Cell Trait is not contagious; it cannot be spread to another person like measles or a cold.
4.Normal adult hemoglobin has 2 identical kinds of hemoglobin in their red blood cells; this is called hemoglobin A—Hemoglobin A is the most common kind of hemoglobin.
a.They have hemoglobin AA
b.Each parent contributes one (1) kind of hemoglobin to their unborn child.
c.If both parents have normal adult hemoglobin (AA) none of their children will have sickle cell trait.
5.People with Sickle Cell Trait have two (2) different kinds of hemoglobin in their red blood cells.
a.One kind is the normal adult hemoglobin called hemoglobin A
b.The other kind is sickle hemoglobin called hemoglobin S
c.They have hemoglobin AS.
6.All babies born in North Carolinahave a hemoglobin test collected shortly after birth through the Newborn Screening Program.
a.The test is a simple blood test
b.They are also screened for the following conditions:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH)
- Galactosemia
- Congential Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Biotinidase deficiency
c.Discuss the results of the Newborn Screening tests with your baby’s doctor.
7.Your baby was born with Sickle Cell Trait and will always have it.
a.Sickle Cell Trait will not change later; your baby will never get Sickle Cell Disease.
8.You should always tell every doctor who sees your baby that he/she was tested and has sickle cell trait.
a.If your baby ever gets sick, this should help the doctor know that sickle cell disease is not the problem.
10.People with Sickle CellTrait can live full lives and enjoy most of the activities that other people do.
WHO’S AT RISK
1.In the United States, sickle cell trait is most common in African American as well as persons ofMediterranean, Middle Eastern (Arab and Iranian), North Africans and Native American ancestry.
2.It also affects other groups including Hispanics/Latinos and Asians.
3.A growing number of Caucasian Americans in North Carolina are being identified with sickle cell trait.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
1.Sickle cell Trait does not normally make your baby sick and does not normally give any physical symptoms.
2.However, on rare occasions, some children may experience the following:
a.Anemia—A mild form of anemia which can deprive the internal organs of the oxygen they need to function properly
b.Hypertension or high blood pressure—The body is trying to get oxygen to the organs that need it
c.Exhaustion—Can occur after prolonged physical activity/play. It may take your child longer to regain their breath after physical activity/play than it does other children. If you notice your child having difficulty recovering after physical activity/play, please talk with your child’s doctor
d.Infection—Females may experience an increase in urinary tract infections while males may experience an increase in urinary bladder infections
e.Athletes: In recent years there have been a number of serious outcomes for young athletes associated with overexertion, unhealthy training conditions such as heat and humidity and sickle cell trait. In June of 2009 the NCAA formally recommended that athletes be tested for any signs of sickle cell trait.
HOW IS IT TREATED
1.There's no cure for sickle cell trait but your doctor can help you and your child live with the disorder.
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO
1.Tell your child that he/she has Sickle Cell Trait.
2.Encourage your child to develop:
a.Healthy living habits (e.g., good nite sleep, etc.)
b.Healthy eating habits and good nutrition.
3.Explain the importance maintaining medical care throughout their life.
4.Explain that Sickle Cell Trait is inherited and it can be passed on to his/her children.
5.Additional information may be obtained from:
a.The North Carolina Sickle Cell program at
b.Operation Sickle Cell, 2409 Murchison Road, Fayetteville, NC at 910-488-6118.
Reviewed/Revised: 09/11…..06/13
Sickle Cell Trait 1