What Causes Sickle Cell?
Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes – one from each parent. People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have the sickle cell “trait”. People with sickle cell trait usually do not have any of the symptoms of the disease, but they can pass it on to their children. It is possible for a person with sickle cell trait to experience complications of sickle cell disease, such as splenic sequestration, “pain crisis”, and, rarely, sudden death.
