What Is Sickle Cell Trait?
Our red blood cells are prone to be involved with various levels of hemoglobin. There are red blood cells with normal levels of hemoglobin, and then there are mutated forms of hemoglobin that misshape the cell to make it look like a sickle. People who have inherited sickle-shaped cells are the ones with sickle cell genes. Depending on the number of sickle cells they carry, they can be framed either as a carrier of sickle cell anemic.
A person is said to be an outcome of sickle cell trait when they inherit sickle cell gene from one of their parents or both. People who have sickle cell traits might not have any sort of symptoms or medical conditions. They will be acting as carriers who pass this to their future generations.
In some cases, it could be induced mainly when climbing uphill or when there is a warm climate making it difficult for the person to breathe. High blood pressure in the blood arteries that feed the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), which can lead to heart failure, is a particularly significant consequence of sickle cell disease. Before delivery, a sample of amniotic fluid or placental tissue can be analyzed to see if the infant has sickle cell disease.
Can a Sickle Cell Trait Be Passed Down?
There are mainly four circumstances of being inherited with sickle cell trait. Unlike other common diseases, depending on each circumstance, the outcomes also could vary.
1. When One Parent Has a Condition, and the Other One Carries It:
In this scenario, the child has a 50 % chance of getting sickle cell anemia, while the other 50 % may point to the child being a carrier.
2. When Both Parents Are Carriers:
This situation causes the risk of a child being a sickle cell carrier to be 50 %, while 25 % of the chances are that the child will be completely immune to sickle cell disease, and 25 % are that the child will be anemic.
3. When One Parent Is a Carrier:
This is the most risk-free circumstance out of all four. Under this situation, there is a 50 % chance that the child will be completely immune to sickle cell acquisition. On the other hand, there is a 50 % chance a child could be a carrier.
4. When Both Parents Are Patients:
This situation has the highest risk profile since both parents are patients. The risk of a child being sickle cell anemia is 100 % which brings the life expectancy of a child to a questionable state.
What Is the Cause of Sickle Cell Disease?
Upon checking on a healthy person’s scenario, the red blood cells are said to be in the shape of a bi-concave disk, basically a filled-out circle with slight thickness. When the red blood cells are in their respective shape, they flow through blood vessels in the most efficient manner, allowing oxygen to be distributed appropriately throughout the body. This could turn upside down with a slight variation in the shape of red blood cells. Once the red blood cells turn into the shape of a sickle, the blood cells will start to get strangled one after one. This will eventually result in a poor flow of oxygen throughout the body.
What Symptoms or Significance Are Associated With Sickle Cell Trait?
A fair answer will be ‘No.’ Since this is just a trait, there are least chances for any symptoms/signs to show their presence. However, following difficulties are rarely seen for people living with the extremity of sickle cell traits.
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Due to blood clots, swelling occurs.
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Difficulty in breathing.
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The tendency to be exposed to dehydration.
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Frequent infections.
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Impaired vision.
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Dehydration.
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Increased pressure in the atmosphere
Can Sickle Cell Trait Turn Into Anemia?
No. As we have discussed above, sickle cell trait is not a disease. Thus, the chances of turning this into anemia are quite slim. People with severe forms of the sickle cell trait may experience the same effects as those who are sickle cell anemic.
Is It Possible to Diagnose Sickle Cell Trait?
Before having children, a parent with Sickle cell disease should understand everything he or she can then know about the illness. Sickle cell trait is diagnosed after the results of a blood test. Newborn screening tests, which include a hemoglobin disorder test, are available to detect sickle cell traits in newborns.
What Are the Common Myths About Sickle Cell Trait?
Just like any other medical condition, sickle cell trait also has been often located on the internet, popping up with several myths. A few of the commonly seen myths are listed below -
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It is a mild form of sickle cell disease.
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It can be cured.
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Reduces life expectancy.
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Affects only a certain group of people (myth mostly seen based on their geographical impact & blood groups).
Who Is Prone to Risk of Sickle Cell Trait?
Those most often affected by sickle cell trait are:
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Both parents must contain the sickle cell gene for their child to be born with sickle cell anemia.
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People of Africa.
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Mediterranean
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Middle Eastern heritage is the most often affected by sickle cell anemia.
What Are the Complications of Sickle Cell Trait?
The following are some of the potential complications:
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Considerably people with sickle cell trait are more likely to suffer muscular tissue breakdown, which can lead to renal damage.
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When blood clots shut off the oxygen flow to the lungs, heart, or brain, they can be fatal.
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Dehydration.
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Oxygen depletion in the air.
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Elevated atmospheric pressure.
Conclusion
To sum up, the sickle cell trait is inherited. These are the people who act as a carrier; they have the hemoglobin gene that can be passed down to the next generations. Even though they possess a gene from the sickle cell, they tend to have a normal life. Only in the worst scenarios do people carrying these traits show signs and symptoms. Most Africans are affected by this. These people should go through a detailed check-up and thus could prevent the transfer of the gene to future generations. People who possess the sickle cell gene should get genetic counseling before becoming pregnant to evaluate their choices. Sickle cell trait will never progress to sickle cell disease. Nevertheless, people with sickle cell traits can pass the trait to their children.
