sickle cell trait

Sickle cell trait is an inherited blood condition where some red blood cells tend to form a sickle shape. This condition primarily affects individuals of African, Mediterranean, or southwest Asian ancestry.1

Unlike sickle cell anemia, individuals with the sickle cell trait are usually asymptomatic and do not suffer from anemia. This is because they inherit one gene for normal hemoglobin (HbA) and one for hemoglobin S (HbS). Their red blood cells contain both types of hemoglobin, requiring significant deoxygenation before sickling occurs.2

The sickle cell trait offers a protective advantage against malaria, as the sickled cells are destroyed along with the malarial parasite. While the overall mortality rate for those with the sickle cell trait is similar to the general population, certain exertion-related issues at high altitudes have been observed.2