Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring many questions. One question some parents may have is: Can I find out if my baby has sickle cell disease before birth?
The answer is yes, prenatal genetic testing can sometimes be used to find out whether a baby has an inherited condition such as sickle cell disease.
Understanding how sickle cell disease is passed from parents to children can help families make informed decisions about testing and pregnancy care.
What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. It happens when a child receives certain changed haemoglobin genes from their parents.
Haemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells. Its main job is to carry oxygen around the body.
Normally, red blood cells are soft and round, so they can move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell disease, some red blood cells can become hard and sickle-shaped. These cells can block blood flow and break down more easily.
This can lead to problems such as anaemia, pain, infections and damage to different organs.
Sickle cell disease is caused by changes in the HBB gene, which helps the body make part of haemoglobin.
How Does a Baby Get Sickle Cell Disease?
A baby receives genes from both biological parents.
This means that a baby’s chance of having sickle cell disease depends partly on the haemoglobin genes carried by the parents.
For example, two people with sickle cell trait (AS) can have a child with sickle cell disease.
For each pregnancy, when both parents have AS:
- 25% chance: the child has SS
- 50% chance: the child has AS
- 25% chance: the child has AA
These chances apply to each pregnancy. They do not mean that if one child has SS, the next child will definitely have SS.
Why Is Sickle Cell Important During Pregnancy?
Sickle cell disease matters during pregnancy for two different reasons.
First, parents may want to know whether their baby could inherit the condition.
Second, a woman who already has sickle cell disease may need additional medical care during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can place extra demands on the body. Women living with sickle cell disease have a higher risk of pregnancy complications and should receive appropriate medical care throughout pregnancy. The World Health Organization released its first global guideline specifically addressing sickle cell disease during pregnancy in 2025.
It is important to remember that having sickle cell trait is not the same as having sickle cell disease.
Who May Consider Prenatal Sickle Cell Testing?
Prenatal genetic testing may be discussed when there is a known or suspected risk of an inherited condition.
For example, parents may wish to speak with a healthcare professional if:
- Both parents have sickle cell trait.
- One or both parents have sickle cell disease.
- A previous child has sickle cell disease.
- There is a known family history of sickle cell disease.
- Previous genetic or haemoglobin testing has shown a possible risk.
- A doctor or genetic counsellor recommends further testing.
The first step is often to understand the haemoglobin status of both parents..
Sickle Cell Disease and Nigeria
Sickle cell disease is particularly important in Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
WHO reports that sub-Saharan Africa accounts for a very large share of the world’s sickle cell disease burden, with nearly 80% of global cases. Nigeria is among the countries carrying a particularly high burden.
WHO’s African Regional Office also reports that sickle cell trait is common in several African countries, including Nigeria.
This makes awareness of genotype, carrier status and appropriate genetic testing especially important for families.
However, having sickle cell trait does not mean a person is sick. Many people with sickle cell trait live normal, healthy lives. The concern is that they may pass the gene to their children.
Why Genetic Counselling Is Important
Genetic information can sometimes be difficult to understand.
A genetic counsellor or appropriately trained healthcare professional can help explain:
- How sickle cell disease is inherited
- The chances of passing a gene to a child
- What a test result means
- The difference between carrier status and disease
- What testing options may be available
- What questions parents should discuss with their medical team
This support can be especially helpful when both parents carry a sickle haemoglobin gene.
Can Sickle Cell Be Found After Birth?
Yes.
Sickle cell disease can also be diagnosed after birth through appropriate newborn or infant testing.
Early diagnosis is important because children with sickle cell disease can benefit from early medical care and monitoring. WHO’s recent guidance continues to emphasize early diagnosis and appropriate care for children living with sickle cell disease.
Prenatal testing and newborn testing are therefore not the same thing. Prenatal testing provides information during pregnancy, while newborn testing is performed after the baby is born.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I test my baby for sickle cell before birth?
Yes. Prenatal diagnostic testing can sometimes determine whether a fetus has a genetic condition such as sickle cell disease.
If I am AS, will my baby have sickle cell disease?
Not necessarily. If only one parent has AS, the baby may inherit the sickle haemoglobin gene, but the exact outcome depends on the haemoglobin genes carried by both parents.
What if both parents are AS?
When both biological parents have AS, each pregnancy has a 25% chance of an SS child, a 50% chance of an AS child and a 25% chance of an AA child.
Is sickle cell disease inherited?
Yes. Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic condition caused by changes affecting haemoglobin.
Is sickle cell trait the same as sickle cell disease?
No. Sickle cell trait means a person carries one sickle haemoglobin gene. Sickle cell disease occurs when a person inherits disease-causing haemoglobin gene combinations.
Should I speak to a doctor before having prenatal genetic testing?
Yes. Prenatal genetic testing should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional who can explain the available options, benefits and possible risks.
If you have been advised to consider prenatal testing for sickle cell disease, you can learn more about the Sickle Cell Anaemia Trio Prenatal Mutation Detection Test at DNA Labs Nigeria.
