PLNU Athletics

The NCAA recently passed legislation that affects you beginning August 1, 2022. All CURRENT AND NEW STUDENT-ATHLETES must submit a sickle cell test on Healthy Roster. YOU MAY NO LONGER WAIVE THIS TEST.  Please see below on your options for obtaining your test results from birth or getting another test prior to your arrival on campus this fall. 

How do I meet NCAA requirements for sickle cell trait status confirmation?
 
Sickle Cell Trait status requirements can be met in the following ways:
 
1.    Newborn Screening Test Results: Contact your hospital of birth/pediatrician's office and request a copy of your sickle cell trait status from your birth. Most states required newborn SCT testing beginning in 1990.

• If you were born in CALIFORNIA CLICK HERE for the request form. This may take several weeks so plan ahead.
• If you were born elsewhere in the United States, please refer to the link below for state-specific contact information: CLICK HERE. This may take several weeks/months so plan ahead. 

2.   Get tested: Provide a copy of a recent Sickle Cell Solubility Test indicating your Sickle Cell Trait status. This requires a written request from a physician, a blood draw from a physician's office or lab, and a lab test with results indicated. If you were born outside of the United States you may not have been tested at birth and would need to request a test from your doctor. 
 
What is sickle cell trait?
Sickle Cell Trait is not a disease. It is the inheritance of one gene for normal hemoglobin (substance in red blood cells that carry oxygen) and one gene for sickle hemoglobin. Under conditions of intense or extensive exertion, normal round blood cells become "sickled" and can block blood vessels to vital organs and muscle, causing tissue damage and possibly collapse.
 
Who gets sickle cell trait and how common is it?
Anyone can have sickle cell trait. Approximately 1 in 12 African Americans and 1 in 2,000-10,000 Caucasians have sickle cell trait. The sickle cell gene is more common in those of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, Caribbean, and South and Central American ancestry. In the state of California, from 1990 through 2003, 1 of every 122 newborns tested (all combined ethnicities) had sickle cell trait.
 
How do you test for sickle cell trait?
If you were born in California after February 27, 1990, you have been tested by the state Newborn Screening Program. Results are either available from your pediatrician at the time of our birth, or from the State of California. If you were not born in California, you still may have been tested, but you must check with your pediatrician or state agency. If you were not tested, sickle cell trait is easily identified from a simple blood test. Please see above (How do I meet NCAA requirements for sickle cell trait status confirmation?)  for more information on how to obtain your newborn testing results.
  
How does a positive SCT test affect my sports participation?
Athletes with sickle cell trait cannot be "conditioned" out of the trait. However, sickle cell trait is not a barrier to outstanding athletic performance, as it is present in athletes at all levels of competition. Athletes are not singled out or disqualified because of a positive test, although they are made aware of potential complications and what can be done to avoid them.
 
What are sickle cell trait symptoms and how quickly can I develop symptoms?
Typical symptoms of sickle cell trait include, but are not limited to, muscle weakness, cramping, shortness of breath, pain, and fatigue. Additional signs and symptoms of sickle cell trait can be visible blood in the urine, chest or abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A characteristic of collapse related to sickle cell is that the athlete can still talk, as opposed to athletes that collapse from heat stroke or cardiac causes.
Sickling of blood cells and onset of symptoms can occur very quickly in the first 2-3 minutes of any all-out exertion. Heat, dehydration, altitude, illness, and asthma can increase the risk for and worsen sickling, even when exercise is not all-out. It is important to note that complications from sickling are related to the intensity of the exercise and it is not purely related to overheating in hot climates.
 
What can I do to prevent problems associated with sickle cell trait?
The key to avoiding problems related to sickle cell trait is IMMEDIATELY stopping activity and alerting appropriate medical personnel if there are any concerning signs or symptoms. Athletes that run into problems often fully recover, especially if identified and treated as early as possible. Basic treatment includes rest, oxygen, and hydration. If you have asthma, be sure to have your medications with you at all times and that you have proper asthma management.
 
Does having a positive SCT test have any long-term consequences?
Sickle cell trait is generally benign and consistent with a long, healthy life. Most athletes complete their careers without complications. In fact, most people with sickle cell trait cannot tell that they have it. The most important implication that may arise in the future is that you can have a baby with sickle cell trait or even sickle cell disease (a serious condition). If a test is positive, the student-athlete will be offered counseling on the implications of sickle cell trait.

Here are some additional resources:

NCAA Sickle Cell Trait Info
NCAA Sickle Cell Fact Sheet for Student-Athletes (PDF)