Sickle Cell Policy
SICKLE CELL TRAIT POLICY
Effective as of August 1, 2012, the NCAA requires all Division III student-athletes provide confirmation of sickle cell trait status, either through: 1) existing documentation from birth, or; 2) recent screening prior to any intercollegiate athletic participation, including strength and conditioning, practices, competitions, out of season training or try-outs. Most entering college-aged students have been tested for SCT as a standard genetic screening at birth. Western New England University is in compliance with this mandate and requests every student-athlete provide the documentation of their sickle cell trait status to Health Services as part of their pre-participation exam and/or health screenings.
WHAT IS SICKLE CELL TRAIT (SCT)?
Sickle Cell Trait is a genetic condition acquired through inheritance not ethnicity. It is the inheritance of one gene for normal hemoglobin and one gene for sickle hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein in the red blood cells. Sickle cell trait is not sickle cell anemia, a more serious disease caused by two abnormal sickle genes. Individuals with sickle cell trait do not get sickle cell disease, but under certain extreme conditions, some sickling of the red blood cells may occur. This condition is usually benign, however during intense, sustained exercise, the oxygen levels in the muscles can decrease sufficiently to cause some of the red blood cells to change from a normal disc shape to a crescent or “sickle” shape. These sickled cells will adhere and block blood vessels to the muscles and other organs leading to significant distress and potential collapse of the athlete, which may include death. Sickling can begin in 2-3 minutes of sustained, maximal exertion, such as sprints or running timed laps. The harder and faster the athlete goes, the earlier and greater the sickling. Certain risks can increase or worsen complications associated with sickle cell trait, even when exercise is not intense, such as hot weather, dehydration, high altitude, infection/ fever, stress or asthma.
EXERTIONAL SICKLING IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Common signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Immediate symptoms with no early warning signs.
Increased pain and weakness in the working muscles (especially the legs, buttocks, and/or lower back).
After collapsing, an athlete will not lose consciousness immediately and is usually able to communicate their symptoms.
Pain in the upper left quadrant of abdomen or in chest area due to splenic infarction (dead tissue due to loss of blood supply).
May have difficulty breathing.
EMERGENCY ACTION PROTOCOL
Mild sickling can improve after only 10-15 min of rest, fluids and oxygen.
Check and monitor vital signs and re-evaluate for any changes.
Trained personnel should administer high-flow oxygen, if available.
If heat related, cool the athlete down, remove from heat and sun.
If vital signs worsen, call 911, attach an AED, and transport the athlete to the hospital as quickly as possible. Appropriate medical personnel should start an intravenous line.
The AT should inform treating physicians of the athlete’s sickle cell trait status so they are prepared to treat explosive rhabdomyolysis and associated metabolic complications.
Clearance for return to play after a sickling injury will have to be made by a physician and depends on the amount of damaged caused.
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
In accordance with this legislation, Western New England Athletic Training has implemented the following policy for all student-athletes:
All coaches and student-athletes will be informed of the specifics of sickle cell trait including signs, symptoms, proper acclimation to training and how to provide emergency care if needed. This educational information will be available on the Western New England athletics website.
All student-athletes must provide either provide medical documentation of their sickle cell trait status or sign a waiver of knowledge of their SCT trait status. If they sign a waiver, they must complete the waiver educational component with a member of the Athletic Training Group prior to any team sponsored workouts. Dominican College is not responsible for any fees that may be incurred as a result of sickle cell trait testing and/or fees associated with obtaining a copy of prior sickle cell trait test results.
Information:
Sickle Cell Trait for Student-Athlete
NCAA SCT Student-Athlete video
ATHLETES WITH POSITIVE TEST RESULTS
If a student-athlete has tested positive for sickle cell trait, the student-athlete can continue to participate in athletics without significant restrictions. An individualized protocol will be developed and implemented under the direction of the team physician, the athletic training staff and head coach to help reduce the risk of a sickle cell trait induced health problems due to participation in training or competition.
The student-athlete will be offered counseling on the implications of sickle cell trait, including health, athletics and family planning.
Coaches will be notified confidentially by the athletic training staff of their athletes that carry sickle cell trait.
The risk of complications due to sickle cell trait cannot be completely eliminated; therefore each student-athlete remains responsible for the monitoring of their own health and for taking precautions to reduce risks associated with sickle cell trait or any other health condition.
The goal of the Athletic Training Group is to create an environment that encourages the student-athlete with SCT to immediately report any signs and symptoms to the AT staff and coach.
The student-athlete and coach will sign the SCT positive athlete information acknowledgement form, which will be kept on file in the Athletic Training offices.