Understanding Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait

Date: 09/01/20

According to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)External Link, approximately 3,000 children and adults in our state are living with sickle cell disease. Each year, around 80 babies are born with sickle cell disease in Louisiana.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition present at birth. It is inherited from one’s parents, like hair or eye color. To have sickle cell disease, a child must receive two sickle cell genes. One from each parent.

People with sickle cell disease do not have any normal hemoglobin. This causes their red blood cells to sickle instead of keeping their round shape. This sickling causes the red blood vessels to cause pain, organ injury and other problems like anemia.

People living with sickle cell disease can experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Delayed growth and development in children
• Jaundice; yellowing of eyes and skin
• Painful episodes
• Pulmonary hypertension

Sickle cell disease is diagnosed with a simple blood test. It most often is found at birth during routine newborn screening tests. It can be diagnosed before birth. Early diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease is important. You can call your local sickle cell organization to find out how to get tested.External Link

Sickle Cell Trait

Unlike sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait does not cause red blood cells to sickle. People who have sickle cell trait only inherited one sickle cell gene and do not have sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell trait cannot develop sickle cell disease. In general, people with sickle cell trait enjoy normal life spans with no medical problems related to sickle cell trait.

For additional information and resources, visit the LDH Genetics Diseases Program siteExternal Link.