The United States government has certain diseases that they recommend newborn babies to be checked for and currently, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) isn’t on the list.
But–great news!–spinal muscular atrophy is on its way to joining other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and hearing loss.
Being on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel is a meaningful announcement of support for testing it in babies. Even when SMA does make the list, it is ultimately up to the states. Some states could immediately adopt the screening recommendation whereas others could delay it. Of the 50 states, some could reject the notion altogether.
Check your state’s list of tests at Baby’s First Test
Cure SMA as well as the SMA Newborn Screening Coalition worked collectively to ensure SMA made the list. The fact that federal government would approve their submission shows how vital it is to have babies screened for SMA. This should encourage states to take it more seriously. As established previously, states do have various procedures that determine if a disease would be put on the list. So, it is very important to advocate on a state level.
The coalition is taking it one step at a time. In order for SMA to make the list, it needs to first be looked at by the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. Then the review committee will review different aspects of SMA to determine if it should be on the list. Next they will give their initial comments and then develop a schedule for when the review will be finished.
Click here to read more.
