Facts About Sickle Cell Trait

Sickle Cell Trait is NOT a disease. People who have Sickle Cell Trait are healthy.
Sickle Cell Trait is different from Sickle Cell Anemia and it will never turn into Sickle Cell Anemia.
People with Sickle Cell Trait inherit one gene for hemoglobin S(sickle hemoglobin) from one parent, and one gene for hemoglobin A (the normal hemoglobin) from the other parent.
If both parents have Sickle Cell Trait (AS), there is 1 chance in 4 that their baby will have Sickle Cell Anemia (SS). Prenatal Diagnosis for Sickle Cell Anemia is available during pregnancy.
1 in 10 African Americans has Sickle Cell Trait. People of other nationalities also have Sickle Cell Trait but it is less common.
Anyone considering having children should ask their doctor about having a blood test to determine their hemoglobin type.

For more information on sickle cell trait and current requirements in college sports, please visit the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org. The state of Maryland has been testing for sickle cell as part if its newborn screening program since 1985. if you are a college student, born in a Maryland facility and in need of your screening results, please contact your pediatrician or family doctor for those results