Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO consolidated guidelines for the management of common childhood illness: management of sickle-cell disease in children and adolescents
Year of Publication2026
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
In children and adolescents (aged 0–19 years) with suspected sickle-cell disease (SCD), the use of lateral flow immunoassay and micro-engineered haemoglobin electrophoresis point-ofcare tests (POCTs) is suggested for diagnosis in settings where standard laboratory-based haemoglobin fractionation or DNA-based tests are not available.
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Low
Notes and Remarks
- The primary objective of using POCTs is to facilitate early and timely diagnosis of SCD, enabling prompt initiation of treatment and care, particularly at the primary health care level.
- Following diagnosis, family screening is recommended to determine the haemoglobin genotype of both parents and siblings.
- In the immediate post-transfusion period, DNA-based testing is preferred. If not feasible, POCT should be delayed for at least 60 days post transfusion to reduce the risk of false-negative results due to the dilution by haemoglobin variants.
- Standard laboratory-based haemoglobin fractionation methods include haemoglobin electrophoresis, capillary zone electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography and isoelectric focusing