Is there antenatal testing for sickle cell disease?
Antenatal testing (i.e. testing the fetus while still in the womb) is available. Amniotic fluid may be tested at 14–16 weeks to provide a definitive answer as to whether or not the fetus has sickle-cell trait or disease. Potential parents can also be tested to see if they carry the sickle-cell gene before starting a family – genetic counselling is strongly encouraged if a positive sickle screen is obtained from one or both parents.
