Interpretation of fetal hemoglobin only on newborn screening for hemoglobinopathy.

Newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies rarely produces a fetal hemoglobin only result; it is most consistent with beta-thalassemia major, although other diagnoses are possible. The authors describe two unrelated African-American babies born in North Carolina whose newborn screening revealed fetal hemoglobin only. Both had a relatively benign clinical and hematologic picture.