[Risks of confusion in the laboratory detection of drepanocytosis (author's transl)].

A brief review of the most usual methods for detecting hemoglobin S, their principles, their limits and interpretations. The author, then, considers the identification of hemoglobin S either isolated or associated with other abnormal hemoglobins or with thalassemiae. He emphasizes the techniques preventing some confusion in results interpretation. Problems in identifying HbS in new-born baby are also considered.