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Sickle Cell Disease

Exams and Tests

Sickle cell disease is diagnosed when initial tests show abnormal Reference hemoglobin Opens New Window, with more testing if needed. A Reference sickle cell test looks for Reference sickle cell trait Opens New Window and sickle cell disease.

Prenatal testing

Doctors can diagnose sickle cell disease before a child is born (prenatally). Couples who are at risk for passing on this disease to their children may want to talk with a Reference genetic counselor Opens New Window about prenatal testing.

Prenatal tests include:

Infant screening

Sickle cell disease can be diagnosed at birth. Most states in the United States screen all newborns for sickle cell disease along with other common disorders. You can also ask for screening.

Soon after birth, a sample of blood is taken from the infant's heel and sent to a lab, where it is screened for the presence of sickle cell hemoglobin (hemoglobin S).

Adult screening

If one member of a couple has sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait, the other member should be tested before becoming pregnant. This test requires a blood sample, which is screened for the presence of hemoglobin S, hemoglobin C, or Reference beta-thalassemia Opens New Window.

If one or both members of a couple carry a hemoglobin S Reference gene Opens New Window or another abnormal hemoglobin gene, the couple may want to meet with a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant to learn more about their chances of having a child with sickle cell disease. Your doctor can help you find a genetic counselor to discuss a Reference genetic test.

Reference Pulmonary hypertension Opens New Window is a severe, common problem for people who have sickle cell disease. It can be detected early with an Reference echocardiogram, a painless method of measuring blood flow.

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference October 1, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Reference Martin Steinberg, MD - Hematology