Children who move between states can also present a problem with respect to the diagnosis of sickle cell disease. Parents sometimes forget the results of newborn screening, particularly if a child has relatively mild sickle cell disease. Unfortunately, children with otherwise mild sickle cell disease are at equal risk of death from overwhelming bacterial infection. No national registry exists for children with sickle cell disease. Most large hospitals and clinics can perform routine hemoglobin electrophoresis.
Smaller laboratories send the test to commercial firms for testing.
If you are concerned about the possibility of having sickle cell trait, you should speak with your doctor. For additional information, contact the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.