Sickle Cell Trait
Video: Understanding Sickle Cell Trait
What is Sickle Cell Trait (SCT)?
Sickle Cell trait (AS) is an inherited condition in which both hemoglobin A and S are produced in the red blood cells, always more A than S. Sickle Cell trait is not a type of Sickle Cell Disease. People with sickle cell trait are carriers and are generally healthy.
Sickle Cell conditions are inherited from parents in much the same way as blood type, hair color and texture, eye color and other physical traits. The types of hemoglobin a person makes in the red blood cells depend upon what hemoglobin genes the person inherits from his or her parents. Like most genes, hemoglobin genes are inherited in two sets…one from each parent.
Examples
If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia and the other is Normal, all of the children will have sickle cell trait.
If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia and the other has Sickle Cell Trait, there is a 50% chance (or 1 out of 2) of having a baby with either Sickle Cell disease or Sickle Cell trait with each pregnancy.
When both parents have Sickle Cell Trait, they have a 25% chance (1 of 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy.
Sickle cell trait (SCT) is found in ~8% of African Americans and may be found in up to 40% of West Africans. However, most of them are unaware of their status.
SCT is NOT a disease. SCT is NOT contagious. It can affect your future (and the mate you choose), and the future of your children.
Trait Carriers have the POWER to eradicate to disease. There is POWER in numbers
How?
- Get Tested. Know your status
- Educate yourself about the trait and the genetics of how the disease is passed.
- Get involved.
- Do your part in raising awareness.
- Become a part of our Internet-A-Thon to help us raise the funds needed in finding a cure for all!
There is no disease without the passing on of the trait.
