If the repeat test is also positive, your doctor can start treatment. These tests will detect problems with hemoglobin. This is the material carried by red blood cells. The major disorder is sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is found most commonly in African American, Italian, Greek, Indian and South-east Asian populations.
Sickle cell can lead to many problems, including infections and severe anemia.
Some other rare problems may also be detected by this screening test. This is a rare disease. It is caused by a problem in the way the baby uses protein. The disease develops very slowly and damage cannot be reversed. At times, the disease can be life-threatening.