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Newborns with sickle cell trait (SCT), meaning they carry a mutation in one copy of the HBB gene but do not have sickle cell diseaseexternal link, opens in a new tab (SCD), show abnormalities in certain biological markers that can be detected within the first week after birth, a new study reports.
Differences were found in markers related to liver, kidney, and blood-related biology — systems that are also affected in people with overt SCD. Researchers say studying these markers may help scientists better understand potential long-term health risks associated with SCT.
“These results open new opportunities for molecular studies of SCT to inform novel approaches to diagnose, prognose, prevent, and treat its clinical manifestations,” the researchers wrote.