Feng etal illustrate an annual percentage increase of 2.2% between 2000 and 2015.2 Various explanations have been proposed: cases may be revealed by screeningyoung children with the genetic propensity to develop HB, using abdominal ultrasoundand alpha feto-protein (AFP) serology;3,4 another likely contributor isthe tremendous advance in neonatal medicine, improving the survival of infants whobear dual risk factors for HB development, prematurity and very low birth weight of <1500g.1 Here, AFP is linked to hemoglobin measurement.