The Effects of Sickle Cell Trait

People with the sickle cell trait have one copy of the sickle cell gene. Two copies of the sickle cell gene yield the full sickle cell disease. Effects of the sickle cell trait vary depending on the carrier but are generally rare and usually mild and manageable.

Urinary Tract Infection in Women

Women with the sickle cell trait have a higher risk of urinary tract infection than female noncarriers.

Exercise-Related Death

Men and women with the sickle cell trait are more likely to experience unexpected exercise-related deaths.

Splenic Infarction

When carriers of the sickle cell trait are exposed to altitude-induced hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), they have a greater risk of having a splenic infarction (death of spleen tissue) due to the irregular shape of the red blood cells.

Hematuria

Sickle cell trait carriers are more likely to experience hematuria, or blood in the urine.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke, or exertional heat illness, has a higher occurrence among carriers of the sickle cell trait as opposed to noncarriers.

References

• Harvard University