Sickle-cell trait
Sickle-cell trait
Sickle-cell trait (pronunciation: SIK-uhl-sel trayt) is a genetic condition that affects the shape and functionality of the red blood cells. It is a less severe form of Sickle-cell disease and is inherited when a person receives a sickle cell gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other.
Etymology
The term "sickle-cell" comes from the sickle-like shape of the affected red blood cells, which is reminiscent of a farming tool known as a sickle. The word "trait" is used to denote that the condition is a genetic trait inherited from a parent.
Definition
Sickle-cell trait is a condition in which a person has one abnormal hemoglobin gene and one normal hemoglobin gene. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. In sickle-cell trait, the abnormal gene causes some of the red blood cells to become misshapen, but not as many as in sickle-cell disease.
Symptoms
Most people with sickle-cell trait do not have any symptoms of sickle-cell disease, but they can pass the trait on to their children. In rare cases, people with sickle-cell trait might experience complications such as painful crises or blood in the urine.
Related Terms
- Sickle-cell disease: A severe form of sickle cell condition where a person has two sickle cell genes.
- Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Painful crises: A term used to describe episodes of pain that occur in people with certain forms of sickle cell condition.
- Blood in the urine: A potential complication of sickle-cell trait.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sickle-cell trait
- Wikipedia's article - Sickle-cell trait
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