Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) vs. Sickle Cell Trait (SCT)
Sickle Cell Disease is a severe medical condition where a person inherits two sickle cell genes. Sickle Cell Trait is usually a harmless genetic carrier state where a person inherits only one sickle cell gene.
Common chronic complications of sickle cell disease include:
- dactylitis, a painful swelling of hands and feet in children;
- acute chest syndrome, a serious, often deadly complication involving the lungs;
- chronic organ damage;
- stroke;
- and kidney failure.
These complications can cause early death. People with sickle cell disease have a life span that is 20-30 years shorter than persons with normal hemoglobin. In the United States, sickle cell disease is most common in the African American population and persons of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian ancestry. Sickle cell disease also affects other groups including Hispanics/Latinos and Asians.
It’s also important to know if you have sickle cell trait for your own peace of mind. While most people with sickle cell trait do not have symptoms of the disease, there are rare cases when having the trait can be harmful such as:
- low oxygen levels
- dehydration
- high altitudes
- intense physical activity
Learn more about the North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program and read real stories from people living with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease on the Centers for Disease Control's website. NCDHHS
Learn more about Hemoglobin S-Beta-Thalassemia Disease on the Cleveland Clinic's website
