NCAA Sickle Cell Reports
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires student-athletes to provide their school with documented results from a previous sickle cell solubility test. While newborn screening in Massachusetts includes testing for hemoglobinopathies (including sickle cell), the methods used are not the same as the sickle cell solubility test specified by the NCAA. The Program has never used sickle cell solubility testing and newborn screening results do not meet NCAA requirements that specify this type of testing.
Newborn screening is designed as a public health screening initiative intended to help ensure that infants receive appropriate medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment when indicated. It is not intended to serve as a definitive diagnostic test. The presence of a newborn screening sickle cell trait result more than a decade ago does not confirm that a patient or family received and retains counselling appropriate for a young adult.
Similarly, the NCAA’s policy is intended to ensure that student-athletes obtain appropriate medical evaluation prior to participation in collegiate athletics. Given this purpose, it is most appropriate for students to undergo testing at the time of athletic participation to determine whether any additional medical evaluation or care is currently needed.
In recent years, the Program has experienced a substantial increase in requests for newborn sickle cell screening results to satisfy NCAA requirements. After careful review and thoughtful discussion with clinical and public health partners, we have updated our policy to better align with the intended purpose of newborn screening and to ensure that Program resources remain focused on our core mission of supporting newborns and their families. Responding to large volumes of NCAA-related report requests has increasingly required staff time and operational resources that are intended to support newborn screening follow-up activities, patient care coordination, and assistance to healthcare providers and families.
Effective April 1, 2026, the New England Newborn Screening Program will no longer provide newborn screening sickle cell result reports for Massachusetts-born student athletes for the purpose of meeting NCAA testing requirements.
Students who need documentation of sickle cell trait status for participation in college athletics should work with their pediatrician or healthcare provider to obtain the appropriate testing. Alternatively, students may independently pursue commercially available sickle cell solubility testing through third-party laboratory testing services.
The Program will continue to fulfill requests for newborn screening reports from healthcare providers for appropriate medical and public health purposes.
For questions, please contact the New England Newborn Screening Program at nbs@umassmed.edu
Additional Information
Sickle Cell Testing Informational Flyer