Sickle cell disease, which is still poorly understood by clinicians, is now the most common genetic disorder in France. Screening and diagnosis performed at birth, targeting at-risk populations, make it possible to identify the various genetic forms of major sickle cell syndromes and to initiate early management, thereby reducing the incidence of serious complications in early childhood. Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease should be rolled out universally in phases. (R.A.)