What does good care actually look like for kids with sickle cell disease? Part 2: Screenings, Labs, and What to Track

In this episode of our What Good Care Looks Like for Kids with Sickle Cell series, pediatric hematologist Dr. Jacob dives into the screenings and labs every family should know. She covers why transcranial Doppler stroke screening is non-negotiable, why penicillin remains a critical preventative measure, emerging neurocognitive screening for young children, and organ-function checks that evolve as your child grows. She also breaks down the key labs to track over time, including hemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count, MCV, and reticulocyte count, so parents can better understand what's typical for their child and what's not.

Dr. Jacob is the Director of the Pediatric Sickle Cell Program at Riley Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders and Co-Director of the Lifespan Sickle Cell Program at Indiana University.

This episode is part of Sickle Cell 101's Care and Treatment 101 Educational Initiative, a community resource dedicated to making care information accessible and actionable for the sickle cell community.

Thank you to our Care and Treatment 101 sponsors: Agios, Beam Therapeutics, and Pfizer.