Can sickle cell be known before birth?

Yes, sickle cell can be known before birth. There are several methods used to detect sickle cell before a baby is born:

1. Prenatal Screening: During pregnancy, a woman may undergo prenatal screening to determine the risk of her unborn baby having sickle cell. This screening typically involves a blood test taken from the mother to assess the presence of the sickle cell trait or the sickle cell gene mutation.

2. Amniocentesis: If the prenatal screening indicates an increased risk of sickle cell, the doctor may recommend further diagnostic testing such as amniocentesis. This procedure involves taking a small sample of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. Genetic analysis of the amniotic fluid can determine if the fetus has sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait.

3. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): CVS is another prenatal diagnostic test performed during early pregnancy. It involves taking a small sample of tissue from the placenta, which shares the genetic makeup of the fetus. Genetic analysis of the chorionic villi can provide information about the presence of sickle cell disease.

4. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): NIPT is a relatively new method of prenatal screening that can be performed as early as the 10th week of pregnancy. It involves a simple blood draw from the mother and analyzes cell-free fetal DNA present in the maternal blood. NIPT can detect the presence of sickle cell-related genetic variations, although it may have limitations in identifying all cases.

It's important to note that if sickle cell is detected before birth, it allows parents to make informed decisions regarding medical care and management of the condition after the baby is born.