Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2022 Feb 7. Epub 2022 Feb 7.
From the Class of 2023 Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, TX Forensic Pathology Investigations, AFMES, Dover, DE Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Dover, DE.
Abstract: In a sudden death investigation of a service member with sickle cell trait (SCT), evidence of sickle cell crisis further complicated by coexisting, undiagnosed diabetic ketoacidosis called into question the synergistic effects of diabetic ketoacidosis on red blood cell sickling. Sickle cell trait affects more than 4 million people in the United States (US) with the highest prevalence in non-Hispanic Blacks (7%-9%; Mil Med 2017;182(3):e1819-e1824). The heterozygous state of sickled hemoglobin was previously considered a benign condition causing sickling during hypoxic, high-stress conditions such as exercise and high altitude (Am Assoc Clin Chem 2017). Read More