TRAINING and EDUCATION
Patient Education
SICKLE CELL AWARENESS
What You Should Know About Sickle Cell Trait
What Is Sickle Cell Trait?
Sickle cell trait (SCT) is not a mild form of sickle cell disease.
Having SCT simply means that a person carries a single gene
for sickle cell disease (SCD) and can pass this gene along to
their children. People with SCT usually do not have any of the
symptoms of SCD and live a normal life.
What Are The Chances
That A Baby Will Have
Sickle Cell Trait or
Sickle Cell Disease?
Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and it gives blood its
color. It carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Hemoglobin is
made from two similar proteins, one called alpha-globin and one
called beta-globin, that “stick together.” Both proteins must be
present and function normally for the hemoglobin to carry out its
job in the body. People with SCT have red blood cells that have
normal hemoglobin and abnormal hemoglobin.
Genes are the instructions that control how red blood cells make
alpha- and beta-globin proteins. All people have two genes for
making beta-globin. They get one beta-globin gene from each
parent. SCT occurs when a person inherits a gene for sickle betaglobin from one parent and a gene for normal beta-globin from
the other parent. This means the person won’t have sickle cell
disease, but will be a trait “carrier” and can pass it on to
their children.
What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
SCD is a genetic condition that is present at birth