How do the doctors know I have Sickle Cell Disease?
Most kids with Sickle Cell Disease have their blood tested when they are born. The doctor will take a tiny needle and prick your finger or heel to get a little of your blood. The doctor looks at your blood with a microscope which is like very powerful glasses. They look to see what type of hemoglobin you have -- do you remember that hemoglobin are like cars that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. If some of your hemoglobin (cars) have changed to the sickle or banana shape, then you may have Sickle Cell Disease.
Can you find the red blood cell that has changed shape?
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| Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/sickle_cell/article.htm on May 25, 2015 |
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For Parents:
In the United States, all newborns are tested for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as part of routine tests after delivery. The National Institute of Health provides nformation on how the test is done and what the results mean can be here. For more in depth analysis of the changes in Hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying vehicle in our blood stream, you may want to refer to article in the Sickle Cell Information site, https://scinfo.org/additional-online-books-and-articles/hemoglobins-what-the-results-mean.
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