We are hoping for this, that he is just a carrier. There is no doubt he has sickle cell, but the rest will not be known for sure until he is 4 months old when the doctor does a repeat blood test. From what I have read, if a baby has full blown sickle cell, it manifests in the 6th or 7th month.

I did some research on sickle cell. Sickle cell is more prevalent among the African American community,about 1 out of 12 test positive, but out of this percentage, only 1 in 400 get full blown sickle cell anemia. Also, 1 out of 100 Latino's are also a carrier, and test positive, and can get full blown sickle cell anemia also. Caucasians can also carry the gene for this and have full blown sickle cell anemia, but it is not common for caucasians.

From what I read, this is a recessive gene, like the one for cystic fibrosis.Perfectly healthy parents with no prior family history of either one of these, can have a child with these genetic diseases.You would not know you are a carrier unless you had genetic testing done.

So, we got the hearing specialist appointment for AJ, on the 17th. A little over 3 months from now, he will get further testing for sickle cell. I am totally stressed out. :(