What you should know about Sickle Cell trait

Jun 17, 2018 News

BY ROBERT FRASER R.N, B.S

“The cure for poverty is not money but knowledge” –
Sir Arthur Lewis (West Indian Nobel Laureate)

World Sickle Cell Day would be observed this week:

What is Sickle Cell Trait?
Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) is not a disease, but having it means that a person has inherited the Sickle Cell gene from one of his or her parents. People with Sickle Cell Trait usually do not have any of the symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and live a normal life with a life expectancy similar to that of the general population.
An individual with Sickle Cell Trait is a person of interest in Sickle Cell research. This person is a trait ‘Carrier’ and can pass it on to his or her children. People who have inherited one sickle gene and one normal gene have Sickle Cell Trait (SCT). Sickle Cell Trait NEVER leads to Sickle Cell Disease and does not normally need treatment.
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that is present at birth. In Sickle Cell Disease, the red blood cells become hard and sticky with an appearance of a C-Shaped farm tool called a ‘Sickle.’
The Sickle Cells die early, which cause a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious problems.
Sickle Cell Disease is inherited when a child receives two Sickle Cell genes – one from each parent. A person with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can pass the disease or SCT on to his or her children.
Who is affected by Sickle Cell Trait?
Sickle Cell Trait affects one in two blacks in the United States.
· SCT is most common among blacks, but can be found among people whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa; the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India and the Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy.
· Approximately three million people living in the United States have SCT and many are unaware of their status.
What are the chances that a baby will have Sickle Cell Trait?
· If both parents have SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance that the child also will have SCT if the child inherits the Sickle Cell gene from one of the parents. Such children will not have symptoms of SCD, but they can pass the SCT on to their children.
· If both parents have SCT, there is a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will have Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
· There is the 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCT or SCD.
· If one parent has SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance that the child will NOT have SCT.
· This is also important to note, that if one parent has the Disease (SCD/SS) and the other parent is free from Sickle Cell (AA), the child will definitely get the Sickle Cell Trait (SCT).
I invite readers to pay special attention to the ‘Likelihood of an Offspring’s Genotype.’ Since a child inherits one gene from each parent you have to multiply the probabilities: The outcomes of all the different possible matings are most conveniently presented as a table.

How will a person know if he or she has Sickle Cell Trait?
A simple blood test can be done to find out if someone has SCT.
· Testing can be done at the hospitals if the equipment is available
· A small sample of blood is taken from the finger (a ‘needle prick’) and evaluated in the laboratory.
· If the results revealed that someone has SCT, it is important that he or she know what SCT is, how it can affect him or her and if and how SCD runs in a person’s family.
The best way to find out if and how SCD runs in the family, is for the person to see a genetic counselor. These professionals have experience with genetic blood disorders. The genetic counselor will look at the person’s family history and discuss with him or her, what is known about SCD in the person’s family.
It is strongly advised that a person with SCD learn all he or she can about this disease before deciding to have children.
The author of this presentation is a graduate from the New Amsterdam School of Nursing and has practiced nursing in the New York area clinical and administrative areas in reputable teaching institutions.
He is also involved in an ongoing research in Sickle Cell Anemia in families. The aim of this is to dispel ignorance and promote knowledge. The ultimate goal is to prevent Sickle Cell ailment (SCD) in generations yet unborn (this can be achieved through education). He also conducts in-service education for nurses and teachers (high schools) in Regions Five (5) and Six (6) annually.
The purpose for involving the latter group (high school teachers) in this discussion is for them to impart this important Health Knowledge/Information to the seniors (Graduate students).
In so doing, the teachers will be reminding the students that they are now of age when they could become parents and would be incumbent for them to understand how Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is inherited.