5 Things to Know Sickle Cell Disease and Newborn Screening

Christy Matthews manages the patient referrals at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that follow a positive hemoglobin newborn screening test.

With previous expertise as a health educator, she has supported patients and families throughout their entire journey. Matthews shares 5 things to know about sickle cell disease.

1. Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide and is especially common in people in Africa, Asia, India, the Middle East and South and Central America.

2. Sickle cell anemia is the most common type of sickle cell disease.

3. Newborn screening programs are essential and successful in identifying newborns with sickle cell disease.

4. A person with sickle cell disease can live a long and fairly healthy life if they adhere to their treatment plan and practice healthy habits.

5. It is important for patients to know their hemoglobin type so that they can be aware of their risk of having a child with sickle cell disease.

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