What is the definition or description of: sickle cell screen?

Blood test: Sickle cell screen is part of newborn screening done in hospital prior to babies discharge. It is performed by pricking the heel of the babies foot and filling in 3 circles of filter paper. That paper is sent to a lab and the blood is reconstituted and tested for numerous diseases, genetic and metabolic that require treatment in newborns.

Sickle screen: The sickle screen test evaluates for the presence of hemoglobin s, which can be found in persons with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait. It is not able to differentiate between these two conditions. If the screen is positive, a hemoglobin electrophoresis can be done to know if you have trait or disease.