Haemoglobinopathies can include conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Overall, the term indicates a group of blood diseases/disorders that will affect the person’s red blood cells.
In the past, there weren’t many neonatal testing options to diagnose haemoglobinopathies. Parents simply had to wait until their children were born and showed signs of a disease or disorder. However, that’s no longer the case.
Why Haemoglobinopathy Screening Is Crucial
Neonatal testing, which includes haemoglobinopathies, can identify babies that have thalassemia or SCD (sickle cell disease). Such conditions might influence survival and long-term health rates. Correct screenings for these are important. With the tests, parents and families can get treatment, support, and appropriate healthcare services to manage their child’s condition.
Requirements of Neonatal Testing for Haemoglobinopathies
Every country offers different screening programs for haemoglobinopathies. Regardless, they must:
- Understand the conditions they’re screening for
- Use appropriate technologies for the tests
- Report results accurately to families and healthcare providers
- Understand the impact these conditions might have on individuals (both babies and parents)
Strategies in the US and Beyond
The GeneSys system was the first automated approach for new-born screening on the market. It could positively identify all the major haemoglobin variants in infants. Likewise, laboratories could save time while running more tests on any positive results to compare them.
Federal law in the United States requires all new-borns to be screened for haemoglobinopathies. Roughly four million new-borns every year get tested for various genetic blood disorders, which could have long-term implications. There weren’t many market participants, which caused problems.
Why Choose the GeneSys System
Trinity Biotech launched its GeneSys System in 2008. It helps with neonatal testing for genetic blood disorders and is already in countless US laboratories. In fact, this platform is automated to handle samples and offers results in as little as two minutes. Learn more about it here.
Neonatal testing has come a long way from the past, and the GeneSys System from Trinity Biotech can help labs test for genetic blood disorders.
