Sickle Cell Trait

Amongst individuals with ancestral roots in regions of the world traditionally affected by malaria (South-Asia, Southern Europe, Middle East, African, Mediterranean, and the Caribbean), the prevalence of the gene for sickle cell disease may be as high as I in 4 or 25% of the population. Individuals who carry this gene have an asymptomatic condition known as sickle cell trait.

It is estimated that over 150,000 people in Ontario, Canada carries a single sickle-cell gene and so have sickle cell trait. The majority of these individuals are not aware of their carrier status and are at risk of having a child affected with Sickle Cell Disease. In view of this, sickle cell trait should be considered a significant public health concern, as, without routine screening and awareness among the general public, the number of individuals affected by sickle cell disease will continue to rise. This will increasingly place a significant burden both on families and the healthcare system as a whole.