Sickle Cell Program

All of our doctors, nurses, Child Life specialists, social workers, nutritionists, pain management specialists and therapists work with families to help them understand the diagnosis, treatments and care needed at home and throughout a patient’s life.

How We Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for sickle cell may include:

  • Blood tests
  • Echocardiogram
  • Ultrasound
  • X-rays
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • Newborn hemoglobinopathy testing
  • A complete family history

Treatment also includes adding preventative measures into a patient’s daily life, including drinking more water to stay hydrated, and managing the pain and symptoms at home with over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Sickle cell disease brings lifelong changes to a patient. We’re here to ease the disease’s affects and help patients and families cope — today and for years down the road.

Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is essential to providing the best preventive treatment for complications of sickle cell disease. We can perform hemoglobin electrophoresis, a blood test that determines if a child is a carrier of a specific sickle cell trait or has any of the diseases associated with the sickle cell gene.

Finding a Cure

Currently, bone marrow transplantation is the most effective treatment for sickle cell disease, but we’re committed to finding more solutions.

We’re involved with the latest research and clinical trials, and we give families the opportunity to participate in trials unique to the world-class research being conducted at Phoenix Children’s. From new medications to bio-technologies — like gene therapy with genetically modified stem cells — we always make sure to match eligible patients with the best possible treatment options.