In the United States, every state performs a newborn screening test1, which includes a blood test for sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.
The screenings are conducted by state health departments, and the results are sent to your primary health care provider.2 If your baby’s results suggest sickle cell disease, you should be referred to a pediatric hematologist or physician expert in sickle cell disease, which is a blood specialist for children.
Early diagnosis of any of the forms of sickle cell disease reduces the risk of major health problems and helps families start treatment right away. If a child has sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait, testing is available to see if other family members are at risk of having a child with sickle cell disease.3
For more information on newborn screening test results, visit Baby’s First Test.
Click here to review the Newborn Screening FAQ
References
References:
- Newborn screening tests. HealthyChildren.org. December 3, 2015. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Newborn-Screening-Tests.aspx.
- Newborn Screening Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell-research/php/data/newborn-screening-nbs-data.html.
- Newborn screening information for sickle cell anemia. Baby’s First Test. https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/conditions/sickle-cell-anemia.
Indicators of an Emergency Situation
Patients and families should watch for the following conditions that need an urgent medical evaluation:
• Fever of 101° F or higher
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Increasing tiredness
• Abdominal swelling
• Unusual headache
• Any sudden weakness or loss of feeling
• Pain that will not go away with home treatment
• Priapism (painful erection that will not go down)
• Sudden vision change