Question 1

are the symptoms of sickle cell carrier observatble?

Accepted Answer

Usually no: The sc carrier state is associated with normal hematological values and normal life span. Knowledge of carrier status is important for reproductive planning since carriers can have children with sickle cell disease. Although uncommon, persons who are carriers for sickle cell may develop specific rare symptoms that may be related to sickle cell trait.

Question 2

is it possible to get malaria if you are a sickle cell carrier?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: You can still get malaria.  It is harder for the infection to propagate.  The disease multiplies by infecting red blood cells.  These cells, in people with sickle cell trait, do not live very long with the infection.  This does not allow for the infection to increase.

Question 3

i just took a sickle cell screen and result was negative. does that mean i'm not a sickle cell carrier-aa genotype?

Accepted Answer

Means no Hgb S: This test is specifically looking for HGB s. It will detect sickle trait (hgb as) or sickle cell disease (hgb ss). If the test is negative it means there is no sickle hemoglobin present, but it does not mean aa. There are many abnormal hemoglobins that are not aa, but would also test negative on a sickle screen.

Question 4

is it still dangerous for a sickle cell carrier to have a general anasthetic during surgery?

Accepted Answer

It Shouldn't Be!: Patients with sickle cell trait (carriers) are at minimal risk of developing any clinical problems except under very severe environmental conditions. Strange things can always happen, but a good anesthesiologist should be able to get a patient with sickle cell trait through any operation safely.

Question 5

what is the cause of sickle cell trait?

Accepted Answer

It is inherited: Hemoglobin (HGB) is a complicated chemical that is in the red blood cells and carries oxygen. We inherit one gene from each parent that makes one of the parts of HGB called beta chains. If we inherit a sickle beta chain gene from one parent and a normal beta chain gene from the other, we have sickle trait. If we inherit a sickle beta chain gene from both parents, we have sickle cell anemia.

Question 6

what causes the sickle cell trait?

Accepted Answer

It is inherited: Hemoglobin (HGB) is a complicated chemical that is in the red blood cells and carries oxygen. We inherit one gene from each parent that makes one of the parts of HGB called beta chains. If we inherit a sickle beta chain gene from one parent and a normal beta chain gene from the other, we have sickle trait. If we inherit a sickle beta chain gene from both parents, we have sickle cell anemia.

Question 7

can sickle cell trait cause health issues? what kind?

Accepted Answer

Sickle trait: Sickle trait means one copy of hemoglobin carries the mutation for sickle cell disease and the other copy is unaffected. Most people with sickle trait are unaffected by this. For athletes with sickle trait, it is essential to keep well hydrated.  

See http://www.Cdc.Gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.Html for good recommendations.

Question 8

can sickle cell trait cause seizures?

Accepted Answer

No: There is no link between sickle trait and seizures.

Question 9

can the sickle cell trait cause fetal distress?

Accepted Answer

Yes: In a study from the 90's, fetal distress in labour was seen in 17% and 11.5% were delivered by emergency caesarean section. Compared with a comparable group of women without sickle cell trait, the mean birthweight of the babies (3202 g) was not reduced.   The main maternal complications were recurrent urinary tract infections (6%) and haematuria (16.5%).

Question 10

i have sickle cell trait,and its never caused me problems except occasional anemia and utis.why do i have to be careful exercising? and in planes?

Accepted Answer

A great explanation!: Here's a link:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.html
After reading it (complications &amp; athletics), you may be better able to make informed decisions about the risk level and the cost/benefit analysis involved. So, some planes and durations might be less risky - some forms of exercise too. It's not likely to be all or none - just know what you're doing. Live wisely and moderately.

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Doctor answers about:

Cause of sickle cell carrier

A member asked:

Are the symptoms of sickle cell carrier observatble?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get malaria if you are a sickle cell carrier?

A member asked:

I just took a sickle cell screen and result was negative. does that mean i'm not a sickle cell carrier-aa genotype?

A member asked:

Is it still dangerous for a sickle cell carrier to have a general anasthetic during surgery?

A member asked:

What is the cause of sickle cell trait?

A member asked:

What causes the sickle cell trait?

A member asked:

Can sickle cell trait cause health issues? what kind?

A member asked:

Can sickle cell trait cause seizures?

A member asked:

Can the sickle cell trait cause fetal distress?

A member asked:

I have sickle cell trait,and its never caused me problems except occasional anemia and utis.why do i have to be careful exercising? and in planes?

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