A 33-year-old member asked:
What type of genetic disorder is sickle cell anemia or trait?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Martin Rubensteinanswered
Hematology and Oncology 47 years experience
Hemoglobinopathy: Patients with sickle cell anemia make an abnormal hemoglobin (hgb.). Normal HGB consists of paired protein chains (globin) and an iron containing part (heme). Patients with ssa inherit an abnormal beta-globin gene from each parent. Carriers have one normal beta-globin gene and one sickle beta globin gene. The carriers (trait) have no symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 35-year-old member asked:
Is sickle cell anemia purely a genetic disorder?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph Torkildsonanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 41 years experience
I Don't Think So: I'm guessing a bit as to what you mean by your question. Sickle cell anemia is caused by a gene mutation on both copies of the beta globin gene. In that sense it is a genetic disease. However, a number of other factors, some of them environmental, can influence the type and severity of problems that patients with ssa have.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 25, 2017
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