Diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease

Diagnosis of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait can be done through blood testing, using a technique called hemoglobin electrophoresis. Blood tests can be done on children or adults. Many states have laws that require newborn babies to be tested for sickle cell disease before they leave the hospital after birth. Pregnant women can also choose to have their unborn babies tested for the presence of sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease.

Tests include:

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis —A small blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory where the percentage of normal and abnormal hemoglobin is measured.

Sickledex Test —A small blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory. In the laboratory, a substance called a deoxygenating agent is added to the blood sample. If the deoxygenating agent causes at least 25% of the red blood cells to assume a sickle shape, the test is considered positive for the presence of either sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. Hemoglobin electrophoresis will need to be done to distinguish between sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.

]]>Amniocentesis]]> —In this test, ultrasound is used to locate the fetus and a pocket of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the growing fetus). A long, thin needle is used to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid, which is sent to a laboratory for testing.

References:

Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2003.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America website. Available at: http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/ .

Weiner CM. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine . 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw – Hill; 2008.

Last reviewed June 2008 by ]]>Mark A. Best, MD, MPH, MBA]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.