Q How is it diagnosed?

A Sickle cell disease is diagnosed with a simple blood test. It is most often found at birth during routine newborn screening tests at the hospital. In addition, sickle cell disease can be diagnosed before birth.

Fast Fact: All 50 states in the United States have newborn screening programs for sickle cell disease.

Because children with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of infection and other health problems, early diagnosis and treatment are important.