Question
What diseases should newborn footprint blood tests check for?
Answer
Newborn footprint blood tests usually screen for certain diseases, such as hemoglobinopathies (like thalassemia) and hereditary metabolic disorders (like phenylketonuria). The purpose of these tests is to detect and treat these conditions early on, in order to improve the health of newborns. If a newborn exhibits symptoms such as red spots and vomiting, further examination and treatment may be required.