Sickle-cell trait is not as severe as sickle-cell anemia, so why is sickle-cell trait important to diagnose?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Even though sickle-cell trait is not as severe as sickle-cell anemia, it is still important to diagnose because if both parents have the trait, there is a possibility of having a child with the disease. One in four children born to parents both with the trait could have sickle-cell anemia.

Answer: D
 Even with sickle-cell trait, the red blood cells still have the potential to sickle under certain conditions such as high altitude or low oxygen levels, which can cause complications such as splenic infarction or hematuria. Therefore, it is important to diagnose sickle-cell trait to prevent potential complications.

Option B and C are incorrect because there are no indications that sickle-cell trait can mask other diseases or eliminate the need for pharmacological treatment.

Sickle-Cell Trait Is Not as Severe as Sickle-Cell Anemia, So