Sickle Cell Trait Screening

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 3 million people in the United States are living with Sickle Cell Trait and many are unaware of their status. Each state has a Newborn Screening Program, which started in most states in the early 1990s, screens for serious diseases that require early treatment. Most people are screened at birth for conditions like:

  • PKU
  • Galactosemia
  • Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism
  • Sickle Cell Anemia and other hemoglobin/blood conditions and traits

Knowing your Sickle Cell Trait status is important to understand your risk of passing down combinations of trait types that can cause serious health problems. If both parents have a hemoglobin trait, a future child may have a hemoglobin disease, such as Sickle Cell Anemia.

Remember - Sickle Cell Trait is NOT A DISEASE

Sickle Cell Trait is a life-long condition but will not change into the disease. Your healthcare provider should be aware of this condition for preventative primary care, exercise training and high altitude precautions.

logout