A and abnormal S in their red blood cells. cells. blood red their in S hemoglobin abnormal and A

People with sickle cell trait have both normal hemoglobin hemoglobin normal both have trait cell sickle with People Hematology

oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. body. the of parts all to lungs the from oxygen

All red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries carries which hemoglobin, contain cells blood red All

Sickle cell trait affects the red blood cells. cells. blood red the affects trait cell Sickle

Trait Trait Mediterranean region. region. Mediterranean

Africa, Latin America, Asia, , and the and India, Asia, America, Latin ,

Hispanics, and people whose ancestors came from from came ancestors whose people and Hispanics, Sickle Cell Cell Sickle

African-Americans has sickle cell trait. It also affects affects also It trait. cell sickle has African-Americans

African-Americans. About one (1) out of every 12 12 every of out (1) one About African-Americans.

have sickle cell trait, but it is very common in in common very is it but trait, cell sickle have FACT SHEET SHEET FACT It is possible for a person of any race or nationality to to nationality or race any of person a for possible is It

BMC–05/19 (F7600) • If both parents have sickle cell trait there is a 25 percent (1 in 4) chance with each pregnancy of having a child with . Sickle cell disease is a lifelong illness that can result in serious health problems.

• This document does not provide information on other types of hemoglobin Sickle Cell Trait Sickle Cell Trait trait such as or beta (AS) (AS) trait. It is not intended to replace counseling by a trained health care professional or genetic counselor. Questions about personal health concerns 262 Danny Thomas Place or treatment should be discussed with your Mail Stop 800 doctor. For more information, visit our Memphis, TN 38105-3678 Sickle Cell Sickle Cell Sickle Cell No Trait www.stjude.org website at www.stjude.org/sicklecell. Disease Trait Trait (AA) Funds for reproduction of this document were provided by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, (SS) (AS) (AS) ALSAC, and a grant from the Plough Foundation. Copyright © 2008 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital A A A A A A A S S People who do not have sickle cell trait A A or any other abnormal hemoglobin have A red blood cells that contain only . Normal Sickle Cell Trait Red Blood Cell People with sickle cell trait do not develop sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that S S S S S contain mostly hemoglobin S. Under certain conditions S S these red blood cells become sickle-shaped S S S Sickle Cell Disease (banana-shaped) and block circulation. Red Blood Cell

Why is it important to know if I have sickle cell trait?

Sickle cell trait is inherited from one’s parents, like hair or eye color. If one (1) parent has sickle cell trait there is a 50 percent (1 in 2) chance with each pregnancy of having a child with sickle cell trait. Sickle Cell No Sickle cell trait rarely causes any health problems. But under Trait Trait 1 certain conditions, it may cause health problems in some people , (AS) (AA) including problems from:

Dehydration – a lack of water in the body

Low oxygen – caused by very strenuous exercise

High altitudes – caused by a lack of oxygen in the thin air Sickle Cell Sickle Cell No No Trait Trait Trait Trait (AS) (AS) (AA) (AA) 1www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/faq_traits.htm