The aim of this website is to provide support to healthcare professionals, especially midwives and health visitors, when interpreting the result of a haemoglobinopathy screening.
Haemoglobinopathies are a large group of inherited blood disorders, which affect haemoglobin (an oxygen carrying substance found in red blood cells). Some haemoglobinopathies can cause life-threatening symptoms, while others do not cause medical problems or even signs of the condition. Mild haemoglobinopathies may go undetected and require no medical treatment.
Carriers of haemoglobinopathies are not expected to present with any health problems. However, it is important that they are aware of their carrier status as it has reproduction implications.