What Is Sickle Cell Trait?

Each person has a pair of genes for hemoglobin. Normal hemoglobin is referred to as Hemoglobin A. The letters (AA) are used to indicate that both hemoglobin genes are normal. In the child with sickle cell trait, one gene is normal and the other makes Hemoglobin S (Sickle). This combination of genes is referred to as (AS): (A) for the normal gene and (S) for the gene that makes Hemoglobin S.

If a child has only one gene that makes sickle hemoglobin, the child does not have sickle cell disease and will not develop the disease later in life. The condition is not contagious either. It is important, however, for the child to know that he or she has sickle cell trait. This information will be very important as part of genetic counseling to a person when he or she is planning to become sexually active. In each pregnancy with which both partners have sickle cell trait, there is a 25 percent chance that the offspring would be born with sickle cell disease.

There are other hemoglobinopathies such as Thalassemia and Hemoglobin-C (AC) which can result in sickle cell disease when inherited along with sickle cell trait (AS). It is important to understand that people with other hemoglobinopathies such as Thalassemia and Hemoglobin-C will have negative results when screened specifically for sickle cell trait, but could have a child with a form of sickle cell disease.

For further information or any questions, contact a Sickle Cell Treatment Center.