What is sickle cell trait? Sickle cell trait is part of a group ofconditions called hemoglobinopathies.Hemoglobinopathies are conditions that occurwhen a person has a change in a proteincalled hemoglobin. Our blood cells usehemoglobin to carry oxygen from our lungs toother parts of the body.

Sickle cell trait is hereditary (passed fromparent to child). Everyone inherits two copiesof the hemoglobin gene (one from our mothersand one from our fathers). When thehemoglobin gene is changed, the gene cannotwork properly. People with sickle cell diseasehave two sickle cell gene changes. Peoplewith sickle cell trait have one sickle cell genechange. People who have one sickle cell genechange are called carriers.

Does everyone in my family havesickle cell trait? Not everyone in your family will have sicklecell trait. However, if one person in a familyis a sickle cell carrier or has sickle cell disease,it is important for all family members to betested. People who are sickle cell carriersusually do not have any health problemscaused by sickle cell trait, but have a higherchance of having a child with sickle celldisease.

Can sickle cell trait turn into sicklecell disease? No. People with sickle cell disease havetwo sickle cell gene changes. A person withsickle cell trait only has one sickle cell genechange and cannot develop a second sicklecell gene change later in life.

What health problems do peoplewith sickle cell trait have? Most people with sickle cell trait do not haveany health problems due to sickle cell trait.However, some people with sickle cell traitcan have health problems that look like anepisode or crisis of sickle cell disease. Theseepisodes usually happen when a person withsickle cell trait does an activity that causesthe body to work harder than normal, such asplaying sports such as soccer, football, orbasketball. Symptoms of an episode caninclude:

o Shortness of breatho Dizzinesso Headacheo Coldness in the hands and feeto Pale skino Chest pain

What can I do to help preventhealth problems related to sicklecell trait? Parents of children with sickle cell trait shouldmake sure that their child:

o Gets regular health check-upso Drinks plenty of fluidso Gets plenty of resto Takes medications and vitamins

(including folic acid)o Avoids getting too hot or cold

Your child’s doctor can answer any otherquestions about risks your child may havewhen playing sports or other activities.

Who can I talk to aboutsickle cell trait?

Northwest IN Sickle Cell Program4810 West Fifth Ave.Gary, IN 46406(219) 949-5310(Northwest Indiana)

North Central IN Sickle Cell Program613 Monroe CircleSouth Bend, IN 46601(574) 251-6055(North Central and Northeast Indiana)

Martin Center, Inc.3549 North CollegeIndianapolis, IN 46205(317) 927-5165(Central and Southern Indiana)

Indiana State Department of Health2 North Meridian Street, 7FIndianapolis, IN 26204(888) 815-0006

Sickle Cell Disease Associationof America, Inc.Website: www.sicklecelldisease.org

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