Neonatal screening and genetic counseling for sickle cell trait
L. K. Grossman, N. A. Holtzman, E. Charney and A. D. Schwartz
In a newborn screening program for abnormal hemoglobins, 91 infants were
found to have hemoglobin AS or AC. Their parents were informed and offered
genetic counseling, but only 35% accepted. We tested parents' knowledge of
sickle disorders before and after the session. The tests were repeated when
their babies were 4 to 8 months old; parents of babies with normal
hemoglobin and those with sickle trait who had not been counseled were also
tested at this time. Parents who received counseling showed an increase in
knowledge and retained it until the second interview although 27% did not
recall the original session. Uncounseled parents of "trait families" also
had knowledge of the condition; in general, trait families knew more about
the condition than normals' families. Newborn hemoglobin screening programs
prove helpful for certain families but not necessarily for all who may be
eligible.
