Prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia. Hemoglobin electrophoresis versus DNA analysis.

The prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (hemoglobin SS) can be established by DNA analysis using two highly sensitive techniques (Southern blot and polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Hemoglobin electrophoresis provides a third, simpler and more rapid, technique to analyze blood from a fetus at risk for sickle cell anemia. The authors present examples of prenatal diagnostic studies using both DNA analysis techniques and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Hemoglobin electrophoresis of fetal hemolysate can provide a simple and rapid alternative method to PCR analysis for the prenatal exclusion of sickle cell anemia, and it is especially useful in cases in which rapid results are needed because of advanced gestational age.