- Children with diagnosis of sickle cell disease [homozygous sickle cell disease (hemoglobin SS disease), double heterozygous sickle hemoglobin C disease (hemoglobin SC disease) and the sickle ß-thalassemias] and confirmed hemoglobin status by hemoglobin chromatography and electrophoresis (<6S group) or electrophoresis (7-11S and 12-23S groups).