The Utility of Bloodspot Technologies In Low Income Countries

In recent years, blood spot techniques have been developed to provide simple, low cost and accurate ways of screening for a variety of medical problems. Since the 1960's in the developed world, the screening for inborn errors of metabolism has been in routine practice. More recently blood spot screening for congenital infection, haemoglobinopathies, and nutritional deficiencies has become available. In this paper, Juana Willumsen reviews the utility of blood spot technologies for low-income countries. Specifically she describes the laboratory methods available and gives details of blood spot collection, storage and transport requirements.

Discussion paper prepared for the ODA Research Work Programme "Improved Care of the Diseases of Childhood"

Also available in Word format: http://194.82.244.65/acroread/Juana.pdf