Communication of positive newborn screening results for sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait: variation across states

Abstract

In the US, all states and the District of Columbia have universal newborn screening (NBS) programs for sickle cell disease (SCD), which also identify sickle cell trait (trait). In this project, we surveyed follow-up coordinators, including one in the District of Columbia and two in Georgia, about protocols for stakeholder notification for SCD and trait. The primary outcomes were total number and type of stakeholder informed of a positive screen. We received 52 completed surveys (100% response). Primary care providers (PCPs) (100%), hematologists (81%), hospitals (73%), and families (40%) were the most commonly notified stakeholders of positive SCD screens, while PCPs (88%), hospitals (63%), and families (37%) were most commonly notified for trait. On average, 3.4 stakeholders were notified for a positive screening for SCD, compared to 2.4 stakeholders for sickle cell trait (P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses for SCD, we found a 2.9% increase in stakeholders notified for each additional year of universal screening mandated in a state (95% CI: 1.4-4.4%). For trait, we found an 8.5% increase in stakeholders notified for each additional follow-up staff (95% CI: 1.3-15.7%), and a 1.3% increase for each additional percent of black births in the state (95% CI: 0.1-2.5%). Wide variation exists in stakeholder notification by NBS programs of positive screenings for SCD and trait. This variation may alter the effectiveness of NBS programs by location of birth.