Fatal Factors of Sickle Cell Trait

Recorded On: 10/22/2025

Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) affects nearly 300 million people worldwide. Awareness that SCT is not an entirely benign condition is growing, but many pathologists and clinicians overlook the fact that sickling may become fatal under certain conditions in patients with the trait. At autopsy, micro-occlusive sickling is identified and SCT is confirmed by postmortem hemoglobin fractionation which proves the trait to be a contributory factor to the cause of death. This sessions discusses the controversy of SCT as a contributory cause of death, and explores autopsy findings in hospitalized patients with SCT dying of natural disease. Participants will get an understanding of the difference between the trait and the actual disease. We will also take a glimpse at S/E hemoglobinopathy, a rare form of sickle disease.

CEUs: This histology course is worth 1 continuing education credit. Course is available for 365 days from date of registration.

Shamika Winfrey

Ms Winfrey is the Lab QA Specialist II, at Baylor University Medical Center – Dallas. Ms Winfrey is certified as both a histology technician and phlebotomy technician. She specializes in a variety of areas including: Covid-19 PCR testing lab, CJD, and as an Autopsy Technician and Decedent Affairs Coordinator. She is a regular speaker at the NSH Annual Conference and with the Texas Society for Histotechnology.