Primary prevention

Prevention is focused on genetic screening and counselling.[34][35][36]​​​[37][38][39]​​​[40]

In the UK, sickle cell and thalassaemia (SCT) screening is offered to pregnant women, and to their reproductive partner when antenatal screening shows the mother is a genetic carrier.[39]

In the US, all patients who are considering pregnancy or are already pregnant are offered a full blood count and screening for thalassaemias.[41] If a woman is found to be a carrier, her reproductive partner should be offered screening.[42]​ Genetic counselling is recommended if both partners are identified as carriers of a gene for abnormal haemoglobins.[42]

Secondary prevention

Prevention is focused on genetic counselling and antenatal testing.[34]​[35]​[36]​[37]​[38]​[39]​

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