Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) FAQ

Sickle cell trait used to be thought of as a harmless genetic condition that didn't cause any problems in the people who had it. However, we are learning that people with sickle cell trait have a slightly higher risk of certain diseases in adulthood compared to others of the same age and ancestry. Learn more here.

Information about sickle cell disease is coming soon so check back often.

  • slide2.jpg
    How does someone get SCT?
    Sickle cell trait (SCT) is inherited from parents, like hair and eye color.  We cannot tell which parent passed it down to your baby but each parent can get a simple blood test done to determine if they also have SCT or not.   If one parent has SCT (“AS”)...
    Learn more
  • What is sickle cell trait (SCT)?
    Sickle cell trait (SCT) occurs when of a person inherits one gene for normal hemoglobin (known as Hemoglobin A, or “Hb A”) from one parent and one abnormal hemoglobin, called Hemoglobin S (“Hb S”) from the other parent.  One normal Hb A gene is usually en...
    Learn more
  • How common is SCT?
    It depends but, in the United States, approximately 1 in 13 Black people or African Americans have sickle cell trait (SCT). In comparison, approximately 1 in 3 people in Sub-Saharan Africa have SCT. In the United States, people who identify as Hispanic, Ar...
    Learn more
  • Why is SCT so common?
    SCT protects against sever forms of malaria, an infection carried by mosquitoes. Therefore, SCT is most common in parts of the world where malaria is also common, namely Subsaharan and Equatorial Africa and Middle East. SCT is now worldwide as populations ...
    Learn more

DIAGNOSIS

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY

  • If I have SCT, what should I do (or not do) to keep myself healthy?
    Learn more
  • Does someone with SCT need to see a hematologist?
    Learn more
  • Does SCT go away or change with age?
    Learn more
  • Do people with SCT need yearly tests to monitor for complications?
    Learn more

OTHER QUESTIONS

  • Can someone with SCT be a college-level or professional athlete?
    Learn more
  • Can someone with SCT join the military?
    Learn more
  • Can people with SCT donate blood and tissue?
    Learn more

FURTHER READING
  1. Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) "Sickle Cell Trait Resources"
  2. "Sickle Cell Trait" by American Society of Hematology
  3. Washington State fact sheets on sickle cell trait in English
  4. Washington State fact sheets on sickle cell trait in Spanish
  5. Washington State fact sheets on sickle cell trait in Somali