Which test is commonly used to screen newborns for sickle cell disease?

Which test is commonly used to screen newborns for sickle cell disease?

• A. Prenatal test
• B. Neonatal screening
• C. Complete blood count
• D. Test for sickle cell carriers

Answer: (B)

Newborn screening is used to detect sickle cell disease in babies soon after birth. This routine test takes a small blood sample from the newborn and looks for abnormal hemoglobin that signals the disease, so affected babies can start preventive care right away. Prenatal testing is done during pregnancy to assess risk before birth, not after. A complete blood count is a general test and isn’t reliable by itself to diagnose sickle cell disease in a newborn. Carrier testing checks if someone carries the sickle cell gene and isn’t aimed at identifying disease in the newborn. Neonatal screening is the standard method because it is designed to detect disease early across all newborns, enabling early management and prevention of serious complications.

Newborn screening is used to detect sickle cell disease in babies soon after birth. This routine test takes a small blood sample from the newborn and looks for abnormal hemoglobin that signals the disease, so affected babies can start preventive care right away. Prenatal testing is done during pregnancy to assess risk before birth, not after. A complete blood count is a general test and isn’t reliable by itself to diagnose sickle cell disease in a newborn. Carrier testing checks if someone carries the sickle cell gene and isn’t aimed at identifying disease in the newborn. Neonatal screening is the standard method because it is designed to detect disease early across all newborns, enabling early management and prevention of serious complications.