Sickle Cell Trait Complicated by Acute Rhabdomyolysis in Military Personnel: A Case Report

Abstract

Sickle cell trait, a trait known to be protective against falciparum malaria, is prevalent in the African American community. Unlike true sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait is currently not a disqualifying condition for military service. In the case below, we describe an occurrence, from Logar Provence, Afghanistan (2,072 m above mean sea level), of exertional acute rhabdomyolysis in an American service member known to be a sickle cell trait carrier. The case serves to educate Military Medical providers and Commanders alike, to the increased risk certain training and work environments have on sickle cell trait Service members; it raises the question of what duty limitations, if any, sickle cell carriers should have.

Sudden Death in High School Athletes

“…Almost all of the cases of ECAST with ERD previously reported in the literature are in African American athletes or military recruits 3,5,18,21,26–32 . The 3 athletes in this series were of different reported ethnicities (case 1, White; case 2, Black; and case 3, Hispanic).…”

“…19,25 Almost all of the cases of ECAST with ERD previously reported in the literature are in African American athletes or military recruits. 3,5,18,21,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32] The 3 athletes in this series were of different reported ethnicities (case 1, White; case 2, Black; and case 3, Hispanic). This is important because the prevalence of SCT is known to be 8% for African Americans, 0.5% of Hispanics, and 0.2% of Whites.…”

Sports Medicine Lessons Learned or Not

“…He survived a stormy and costly 3-month hospital course and sued the researcher, a "medical doctor," to no avail. Fast help also saved the lives of a female, 16, who collapsed from ES in a track workout, and a soldier, 39 years, who collapsed from ES in a timed 2-mile run in Afghanistan (7,8). Common denominator?…”

“A Stitch in Time” and “If 6 was 9”

“…We have reported ECAST deaths in Army recruits (7), and in just the past year, four more reports of ECAST V severe or fatal V have appeared in military journals (6,10Y12). All four reports urge greater awareness of the ECAST syndrome in the military, and two reports call for greater awareness of SCT status in the Army (10,12).…”