One of the spleen's main jobs is to protect against infection. If you are in a risk group, you should ask your doctor to check you and your sexual partner for sickle cell trait or disease before you get pregnant. Then you will know if you might have a child with sickle cell disease. Your doctor might want you to get genetic testing. If you are already pregnant, you might get testing for your fetus .
Most states test all newborn babies for sickle cell disease.
If your state does not do this testing, your doctor can get a special blood test for your baby. This test will show if your baby has sickle cell disease. If your child has sickle cell disease, he or she is at risk for some infections, lung problems and pain. Also, certain vitamins, like folic acid, can help your child's body replace damaged blood cells. Your child needs to have all of the recommended shots for children.