Prenatal Diagnosis of Sickle-Cell Anemia

Prenatal diagnosis of β thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia by the study of hemoglobin synthesis in fetal blood is currently under evaluation. In β thalassemia, the diagnoses of the normal, heterozygous and homozygous states in the fetus have been accomplished.1 2 3 Experience with prenatal diagnosis in sickle-cell anemia is more limited. Although a number of fetuses with sickle-cell trait have been identified by the study of fetal blood obtained after abortion,4 5 6 7 the homozygous state in the fetus has not yet been described. We report here the successful diagnosis of sickle-cell anemia in utero.Materials and MethodsThis was the first pregnancy of . . .