What Is Sickle Cell Trait? If someone inherits one sickle cell gene, they have sickle cell trait. They usually do not develop symptoms of sickle cell disease. If someone inherits two sickle cell genes, they have sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell disease need lifelong medical care. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells are not round, but curved. These curved red blood cells block small blood vessels. Blood can't move as it should, which can lead to pain and organ damage. Can Someone With Sickle Cell Trait Have a Child With Sickle Cell Disease? Someone with sickle cell trait has one sickle cell disease gene and one normal gene. If that person has a child, the child has a 50% chance of inheriting the sickle cell gene. If both parents have sickle cell trait, their child can inherit: the sickle cell gene from both parents and have sickle cell disease the sickle cell trait from one parent and a normal gene from the other and have sickle cell trait the normal gene from both parents and not have sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease Families with sickle cell trait should talk to a genetic counselor to understand their risk of sickle cell disease and other blood disorders. How Is Sickle Cell Trait Diagnosed? Sickle cell trait doesn't usually cause symptoms. Many people have the gene and don't know it. Doctors can do a simple blood test (usually from a finger prick) to see if someone has sickle cell trait. Pregnant women and newborn babies usually get a blood test for the sickle cell gene during routine care. How Is Sickle Cell Trait Treated? Most people with sickle cell trait never develop symptoms and do not need any treatment. Very rarely, someone with sickle cell trait can have symptoms, especially if they: get dehydrated exercise very strenuously go somewhere with a very high altitude Anyone who does have symptoms needs to see a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (a hematologist). People with sickle cell trait should tell all their doctors that they have it, just in case they develop symptoms. Back to Articles Related Articles Sickle Cell Crisis (Pain Crisis) Sickle cell crisis is when sickled cells clog small blood vessels, causing extreme pain and other symptoms. Learn more, including how to help prevent a crisis and what to do if one does happen. Read More Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that makes red blood cells change shape and cause health problems. Find out more in this article for teens. Read More Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that makes red blood cells change shape and cause health problems. Find out how to help your child. Read More Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease is a disease of the blood. Red blood cells are shaped like sickles, and can get stuck, especially inside smaller blood vessels. Read More Transitioning Your Medical Care: Sickle Cell Disease At a certain point, you'll no longer be able to see your childhood doctor. Here are tips for teens on making a smooth switch to adult sickle cell care. Read More Will I Pass Sickle Cell Disease on to My Children? Find out what the experts say. Read More Genetic Testing Advances in genetic testing help doctors diagnose and treat certain illnesses. The type of test done depends on which condition a doctor checks for. Read More The Basics on Genes and Genetic Disorders Genes play an important role in how we look and act, and even in whether we get sick. This article gives the lowdown on genes, genetic disorders, and new research into gene therapy. Read More Alpha Thalassemia Alpha thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body has a problem producing alpha globin, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. Read More Beta Thalassemia Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body has a problem producing beta globin, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. Read More Anemia Anemia happens when there aren't enough healthy red blood cells in the body. It can be caused by many things, including dietary problems, medical treatments, and inherited conditions. Read More Blood Here are the basics about the life-sustaining fluid called blood. Read More All About Genetics Read the basics about genetics, including how certain illnesses, or increased risks for certain illnesses, pass from generation to generation. Read More What Is a Gene? Why does one kid have green eyes while another kid's eyes are brown? It's all in the genes! Find out how genes work, what happens when there are problems with genes, and more. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.