Sickle Cell Trait and Frostbite
Abstract
To determine the importance of the sickle cell trait as a predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of cold injury. The sickle cell trait occurred with essentially equal frequency in a group of 346 control Negroes (10.4%) and a frostbite group of 66 cases (13.6%). The sickle trait occurred with essentially equal frequency in a group of control cases tested before exposure to cold (10.9%) and a similar group tested after prolonged exposure to cold (9.6%). There was no significant difference between the. sickling and non-sickling distribution in the four main blood groups when the frostbite and control groups were compared. The four main blood groups appeared with equal frequency in the frostbite and control groups. No significant correlation was found between the occurrence of the sickle cell trait and the presence of cold agglutinins in the frostbite, pre-exposure control and post-exposure control groups. The presence of the sickle cell trait in Negroes does not appear to be a significant factor in the causation of frostbite in this group.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 1952
- Accession Number
- ADB213334
Entities
People
- David Weiner
- Matthew J. Ellenhorn
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory