Clinical significance sickle cell testing index

Sickle cell disease is a condition where genetic blood disorders affect red blood cells in the blood.

In ordinary humans, red blood cells are round in shape and have the ability to move flexibly in blood vessels with the task of bringing oxygen to other parts of the body. In people with sickle cell disease, these people's red blood cells are crescent-like in shape, and become sticky and stiffer.

Abnormal red blood cell shape will make it more difficult to move in the blood vessels of cells, slowing down and even blocking the flow of oxygen and blood to other parts. This damages tissues and muscles due to insufficient oxygen and blood supply.

Sickle cell disease is a chronic pathology that will follow the person for life and have different severity.

What is sickle cell testing? Sickle cell testing is essentially a form of blood test conducted with the aim of examining sickle cell genes and diagnosing sickle cell disease.

Currently, the best method of diagnosing sickle cell disease is sickle cell testing through high-performance liquid chromation (HPLC). Through this test, the presence of pigments can be determined.

To strengthen and enhance the reliability and accuracy of HPLC, your doctor may order a genetic test.

Sickle cell testing is usually insularly in place in the following cases:

• Diagnosis of sickle cell disease
• Sickle cell gene screening and screening
• People at increased risk for sickle cell disease, especially infants
• Couples are prepared to have children but are at risk of carrying sickle cell genes.

In order for the sickle cell test results to be accurate, if the patient has experienced a blood transfusion within the last 4 months, it is necessary to be sure to inform the doctor because this can adversely affect the results.

Specimens used in sickle cell testing are usually vein blood or blood from the heel.

4.1 Intravenous blood

The vein blood collection procedure in sickle cell testing takes place similarly to in other blood tests.

• Tie above the arm with an elastic band to prevent the flow of blood, making the vein larger easily for blood draw;
• The blood-taking location is cleanly disinfected with medical alcohol;
• The doctor proceeded to pierce the needle into the vein and take a sufficient amount of blood;
• Remove the bandage and remove the needle, then place cotton wool or gauze on the blood draw position.

4.2 Heel health

Heel blood is usually carried out in babies.

• Clean your baby's heel before taking blood;
• Use a small needle and gently poke the heel so that the blood is smaller;
• Put a few drops of blood on a piece of specialized paper;
• After taking the required amount of blood, use a small bandage glued to the heel of the baby where the blood is taken.

Sickle cell tests returned to patients can result in two forms:

• Normal: the person's hemolysis is completely normal.
• Abnormalities: hemolysis has certain abnormalities.

If the person carries the sickle cell gene, if more than half of the hemolysis is considered normal (hemolysis A), on the contrary less than half is abnormal (hemolysis S).

For infants, sickle cell testing can be repeated at the age of 6 months because babies under 6 months of age may give false negative results because they have more hemolysis F (fetal hemolysis) in their blood. In certain cases, DNA genetic information testing may also be in place.

The process of blood collection for sickle cell testing is rarely problematic. The most common problem may be the appearance of small bruises at the blood-taking site. However, this situation can be solved by putting pressure on that position for a few minutes and will quickly disappear without serious effects.

In rare cases, vein inflammation may be encountered, which means that the vein is swollen after blood is taken.

In babies with bleeding-related problems may bleed more than usual. These problems will be detected during sickle cell testing.

According to the study, patients with sickle cell disease usually have a low average life expectancy, about 40 years. Early detection and receiving proper medical care will help prevent the disease from progressing badly and prolong the life of the patient. Therefore, people should go to reputable medical facilities to conduct sickle cell tests as soon as possible.

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