State of Rhode Island
Department of Health
According to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules, all Division I, II and III school athletes are required to be tested for the sickle cell trait through hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. Individuals with a sickle cell trait (a single sickle cell gene and one normal gene) typically do not have any symptoms. However, rarely, they may develop serious health problems during extreme physical stress, such as severe dehydration (loss of fluids). Athletes with this trait may need to take special precautions to lower the slight risk of training-related deaths. For more information on this NCAA requirement, please visit the NCAA website.
Step 1: Complete Request Form
Step 2: Results Provided within Five Business Days
Once you complete the form and any needed steps, the Newborn Screening Nurse will fax or securely email your sickle cell test results to your primary care provider or college/university health center within five business days. Results can only be sent to the student’s current primary care provider or college/university health center. They cannot be sent directly to the student or their family. Please contact your current primary care provider or the health center to obtain your results five business days after completing the form.
Due to the large number of requests, RIDOH is unable to confirm receipt of the request or confirm that results were sent to the provider. If it has been more than five business days since you made the request and your provider still has not received the results, please contact the Newborn Screening Nurse at 401-921-7619.
If you were born before January 1, 2000: talk to your primary care provider about hemoglobin electrophoresis testing to determine if you have sickle cell trait. Due to documentation and storage limitations, the Newborn Screening Program cannot provide reliable sickle cell test results. The recommended test can be performed at a clinical laboratory with a physician’s order.