Sickle Cell Disease

Every year in the United States, thousands of families learn their newborn has sickle cell disease. Your child may appear healthy at first, but the condition requires careful, ongoing care as they grow.

With the right support, your child can be monitored closely and treated proactively. At WMCHealth, our pediatric specialists provide medical expertise, education, and family-centered support in one coordinated setting.

Diagnosing Sickle Cell Disease

Through newborn screening, we identify 10 to 20 infants each year. Newborn screening plays a critical role in identifying sickle cell disease before symptoms begin. Early diagnosis allows your care team to begin prevention strategies and plan ongoing monitoring as your child grows.

Diagnosis is confirmed using:

• Newborn screening: Early blood testing that detects sickle cell disease in infants
• Confirmatory blood testing: Follow-up tests that confirms abnormal hemoglobin and guide care planning

Education-Focused Care for Long-Term Management

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong condition, and care needs change as children grow into adolescence and adulthood. WMCHealth provides specialized pediatric care with an intentional focus on long-term planning and independence.

A structured transition program helps your child build skills to manage medications, recognize symptoms, and navigate the healthcare system. Readiness is assessed over time to support a thoughtful transition to adult care when appropriate.