U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening hemoglobin or hematocrit between the ages of six to 12 months in high-risk infants. High-risk includes the following: blacks, Native Americans, Alaska natives, infants living in poverty, immigrants from developing countries, preterm and low-birth-weight infants and infants whose principle dietary intake is unfortified cow's milk. Newborns should be screened for hemoglobinopathies with hemoglobin electrophoresis. Selective screening is appropriate in areas of low prevalence.

The recommendations of the American Academy of Family Physicians are the same as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening hemoglobin or hematocrit at the six-, nine-, or 12-month visit for all infants. Universal screening for anemia in newborns is not warranted.