Neonatale screening op sikkelcelziekte

– Through migration and birth sickle cell disease has become an important health problem in the Netherlands: it is estimated that each year between 25 and 40 children are born with a form of sickle cell disease.

– A programme designed towards parental education, prevention and early intervention for complications of sickle cell disease (notably penicillin prophylaxis to prevent pneumococcal septicaemia and meningitis) may lead to reduction in morbidity.

– Early diagnosis is indicated since children with sickle cell disease will benefit most from such a programme in the first few years of life.