Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States

Universal in the United States (US) since 2006, newborn screening (NBS) programs for sickle cell disease (SCD) allow for early identification of the disease and, as an unintentional byproduct, identification of sickle cell trait (SCT). Unlike other carrier states, SCT is highly prevalent and is foun...

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Main Authors: Jayla Lynn Scott, Jana Christian, Manuela Plazas Montana, Yvette M. Miller, Rakhi P. Naik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Advances in Hematology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ah/3854629
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author Jayla Lynn Scott
Jana Christian
Manuela Plazas Montana
Yvette M. Miller
Rakhi P. Naik
author_facet Jayla Lynn Scott
Jana Christian
Manuela Plazas Montana
Yvette M. Miller
Rakhi P. Naik
author_sort Jayla Lynn Scott
collection DOAJ
description Universal in the United States (US) since 2006, newborn screening (NBS) programs for sickle cell disease (SCD) allow for early identification of the disease and, as an unintentional byproduct, identification of sickle cell trait (SCT). Unlike other carrier states, SCT is highly prevalent and is found in nearly 3 million Americans, which results in important reproductive implications. Currently, all NBS programs in the US are responsible for their own policies regarding SCT notification, and little is known about how SCT notification practices are performed and how these practices vary across NBS programs. We surveyed NBS programs personnel in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US’ territories of Puerto Rico and Guam (n = 53) using an electronic survey. There was a 100% response rate. All NBS programs (100%) provide notification of SCT status to either a pediatrician or parent: 49% notify the pediatrician only, 45% notify both the pediatrician and parent, and 6% notify the parent only. A total of 98% of NBS programs retain electronic records of SCT status, but only 38% can be directly accessed by pediatricians/primary care doctors. No state operates a publicly available database that allows individuals to access their own records. Only one state provides renotification at reproductive age. In conclusion, there is wide variability in NBS practices for SCT notification. This study demonstrates a need for national guidelines to standardize SCT notification across the US to ensure effective notification and counseling for SCT.
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spelling doaj-art-16ea0993098947c09bc129a83ace6b0e2024-12-27T00:00:08ZengWileyAdvances in Hematology1687-91122024-01-01202410.1155/ah/3854629Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United StatesJayla Lynn Scott0Jana Christian1Manuela Plazas Montana2Yvette M. Miller3Rakhi P. Naik4Division of HematologyDivision of HematologyDivision of CardiologyDonor and Client Support CenterDivision of HematologyUniversal in the United States (US) since 2006, newborn screening (NBS) programs for sickle cell disease (SCD) allow for early identification of the disease and, as an unintentional byproduct, identification of sickle cell trait (SCT). Unlike other carrier states, SCT is highly prevalent and is found in nearly 3 million Americans, which results in important reproductive implications. Currently, all NBS programs in the US are responsible for their own policies regarding SCT notification, and little is known about how SCT notification practices are performed and how these practices vary across NBS programs. We surveyed NBS programs personnel in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US’ territories of Puerto Rico and Guam (n = 53) using an electronic survey. There was a 100% response rate. All NBS programs (100%) provide notification of SCT status to either a pediatrician or parent: 49% notify the pediatrician only, 45% notify both the pediatrician and parent, and 6% notify the parent only. A total of 98% of NBS programs retain electronic records of SCT status, but only 38% can be directly accessed by pediatricians/primary care doctors. No state operates a publicly available database that allows individuals to access their own records. Only one state provides renotification at reproductive age. In conclusion, there is wide variability in NBS practices for SCT notification. This study demonstrates a need for national guidelines to standardize SCT notification across the US to ensure effective notification and counseling for SCT.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ah/3854629
spellingShingle Jayla Lynn Scott
Jana Christian
Manuela Plazas Montana
Yvette M. Miller
Rakhi P. Naik
Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States
Advances in Hematology
title Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States
title_full Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States
title_fullStr Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States
title_full_unstemmed Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States
title_short Variability in Notification of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Sickle Cell Trait Across the United States
title_sort variability in notification of positive newborn screening results for sickle cell trait across the united states
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ah/3854629
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