A qualitative evidence synthesis on perinatal screening for sickle cell disease in high-burden countries.

What was studied

This review looked at screening babies and pregnancies for sickle cell disease. It focused on countries where the disease is common at birth. The team used qualitative studies, not number-based ones. It included 18 papers from 2004 to 2024. It looked for themes on how to run such programmes.

What they found

The review built themes at the level of person, community and system. Programmes need money and political support from government. They also need to fit into current health care. Sharing what is known about the disease can raise acceptance of newborn tests. A test choice has wide effects on the child and family. Prenatal and newborn tests give parents different options.

What it means for patients

The team suggests planning for lasting programmes from the start. They suggest using community knowledge, easing stigma and offering families different testing options.

Why it is not certain yet

The team says more qualitative work is needed on system-level roll-out. More is also needed on the effect of outside funding. The papers covered only some of the high-burden countries. The themes come from the authors' reading, not counts.

Source

A qualitative evidence synthesis on perinatal screening for sickle cell disease in high-burden countries.

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