Screening for sickle cell hemoglobinopathies

R. B. Scott and O. Castro

Screening for sickle cell hemoglobin can detect carriers, who can benefit from education and genetic counseling, and can bring about early diagnosis, supportive care, and management for patients with established disease. However, such screening programs should be designed and supervised properly by health professionals to avoid methodological pitfalls and other unfortunate circumstances that have occurred in the past.