Sickle Cell Program (Counseling and Testing)

Sickle Cell disease is a genetic blood disorder. It is passed from mothers and father to their children. Sickle Cell disease (if not treated /controlled properly) can cause serious health issues, severe pain and even death.  Anyone can be a carrier of Sickle Cell disease (or sickle cell trait) without knowing it and pass it to their children.  There are higher Incidences of sickle cell disease and trait among African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and those whose ancestry is from Greece, Turkey, Italy, Saudi Arabia and India.

Sickle Cell Testing is free and available for:

• Male partners of pregnant women with sickle cell trait/disease
• Student athletes participating in College sports
• All newborns as part of their newborn screening lab work
• Parents of newborns who tested positive for sickle cell trait

Sickle Cell testing of newborns is standard practice in N.C. hospitals. Many pregnant women are tested by their prenatal providers.

Sickle Cell Disease/Trait Counseling is free and available for:

• Pregnant women who test positive for sickle cell trait and their partners
• Families and caregivers of children with sickle cell disease/trait
• Sickle Cell trait Teens who wish to learn more about their genetics

To make an appointment for Sickle Cell Counseling or Testing, please call 919-989-5200 and ask for the Child Health Clinic

Page last updated on:  March 13, 2023