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Sickle Cell Disease Follow-​U​p Program

​Common Questions​

What is Sickl​e Cell Disease (SCD)?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common disorder of the red blood cells, or hemoglobin. The name comes from the shape of the red blood cells, which become shaped like a C or a sickle.

  • These cells are sticky and rigid, rather than round, soft and smooth, and cannot move easily through the body.
  • Because of their odd shape, they may not be flexible enough to squeeze through small blood vessels and can deprive body parts of oxygen and can cause pain and damage tissues.
  • SCD is a disease that is inherited, this means that it is passed from parents to children. A child must receive a sickle cell trait gene from both parents to have SCD.
Image of normal red blood cells and sickled blood cells. Normal red blood cells are circle shaped, sickle cells are crescents
SCD is serious and can cause complications. Regular primary care and specialty care visits are essential to improving quality of life

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What is Sickle Cell Trait (SCT)?

Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a type of hemoglobinopathy or an inherited blood disorder. It affects between 1 and 3 million Americans, according to the American Society of Hematology.

A person with SCT has inherited only one copy of the sickle cell gene from a parent. A person with sickle cell disease (SCD) has two copies of the gene, one from each parent.

SCT can never turn into SCD. Because a person with SCT has only one copy of the gene, they will never develop SCD. Instead, they are considered a carrier for the disease. That means they can pass the gene for the disease on to their children. A simple blood test from your doctor can determine if you are a carrier and at risk of passing along SCT.

Those who are at increased risk of having SCT include people of:

  • African,
  • Hispanic,
  • South Asian,
  • Southern European, or
  • Middle Eastern descent.

How is SCT Inherited?

  • If both parents have SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance that any child of theirs also will have SCT, if the child inherits the sickle cell gene from one of the parents. Such children will not have symptoms of SCD, but they will have SCT and can pass SCT on to their children.
  • If both parents have SCT, there is a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that any child of theirs will have SCD. There is the same 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCD or SCT.

Diagram of how sickle cell trait is inherited. It shows the same information that was written in the above bullet points

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How can SCT impact a person's health?

Although rare, people with SCT can develop symptoms of SCD,  such as pain crises, under extreme conditions. These conditions include:
  • Increased pressure in the atmosphere, such as with scuba diving,
  • Low oxygen levels, which can occur while performing strenuous physical activity,
  • High altitudes,
  • Dehydration,
    • Athletes with SCT need to take precautions when performing. Staying hydrated is extremely important.
Some conditions linked to SCT, include:
  • Reduced blood supply to the spleen,
  • Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis),
  • Kidney damage and chronic kidney disease,
  • Bleeding (hyphema) and increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) following eye injuries, and
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria).

What are other kinds of hemoglobinopathy traits? 

Hemoglobinopathies are a group of disorders passed down through families in which there is abnormal production or structure of the hemoglobin molecule. The most commonly known hemoglobinopathy is SCD. Besides SCT, there are two kinds of thalassemia trait: alpha thalassemia trait and beta thalassemia trait. Like SCT, people with alpha or beta thalassemia traits have inherited one copy of the thalassemia gene and do not have a disease, and the trait cannot become disease. Both types of thalassemia trait can cause the size of the red blood cells to be smaller than normal, which looks like iron deficiency anemia, but it does not require treatment. 

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What do I need to know about SCT and sports?

People with SCT can safely participate in all sports provided they take a few general precautions, such as:
  • Drinking enough water,
  • Taking breaks when needed, and
  • Not overdoing it, especially when starting a new exercise program.​
The conditions that increase the risk of exercise-related illness for athletes with SCT appear to be the same as those that increase the risk for athletes who do not have SCT and include:
  • Significant and sudden increase in exercise intensity,
  • Failure to adjust gradually to new environmental conditions like higher altitude, increased heat, or higher humidity,
  • Exercising when ill or dehydrated (lack of fluids), and
  • Drug, alcohol, or stimulant use.​

What does the Maryland Department of Health's Sickle Cell Disease Follow-Up Program do? 

​The program follows newborns, children, and young adults with SCD up to age 18, providing them and their families information about sickle cell disease (SCD) and other hemoglobin disorders, what to expect from your doctor and specialist, guides to living with SCD, and other information pertaining to daycare, school, sports, transitioning to an adult doctor, web resources and organizations of interest to persons with SCD. 
 
  • Self-Referral- The SCD Follow-Up Program provides support and resources to babies born with SCD in Maryland. However, families with children with SCD, who were bor​n in other states are welcome to enroll. Please complete this form and Program Staff will contact you. Click here or on the link below to complete the self-referral form. 

​How can I contact the Sickle Cell Follow-up Program? 

Call (410) 305-9891 for more information or 

Email mdh.sicklecelldiseaseprogram@maryland.gov

Resources

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Office of Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs

201 West Preston Street - Baltimore, MD 21201

Tel (410) 767-6730   Fax (410) 333-5047​