On May 2, Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Katherine Clark (MA-05), and Jaime Herrera-Beutler (WA-03) introduced the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019, a key piece of legislation that fights to eliminate preventable newborn deaths and stave off the onset of symptoms associated with severe disabilities, including neuromuscular conditions. Read MDA’s . . .
Earlier this week, JAMA Neurology published an article co-authored by Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) staff members that addresses the role of newborn screening (NBS) in the field of neuromuscular disease. In the article, “Maximizing the Benefit of Life-Saving Treatments for Pompe Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Through Newborn Screening: Essential Steps,” the . . .
In April, MDA held its first ever combined Clinical & Scientific Conference, themed “Progress in Motion,” in Orlando Fla. Clinicians, scientists, policymakers, nonprofit, and industry leaders convened for a dynamic and informative five days in Orlando, Fla. With more than 1,200 attendees, 23 sessions, 136 presentations, and 300 posters, this was MDA’s largest conference ever. . . .
This week, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law a bill, HB 1074, that requires the state to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to its newborn screening panel. SMA is the No. 1 genetic cause of death in infants, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 babies. MDA was proud to advocate for the addition of SMA . . .
Early identification and treatment for neuromuscular disorders are essential to optimize health outcomes. Newborn screening, which identifies health issues via a blood test taken soon after birth, is essential to ensure that infants born with serious but treatable disorders have the best possible chance at receiving the care and support services they need as early . . .
After significant collaborative work among many stakeholders in the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) community, we are pleased to share that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Dr. Alex Azar, has accepted the recommendation to add SMA to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) for newborns. This is a landmark decision for the SMA . . .
The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (ACHDNC), a federal committee that oversees newborn screening, voted today to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to the national list of disorders recommended for screening at birth. Following today’s vote, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) will make a final decision on whether . . .
Today, the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children voted to recommend to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) be added to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), the national list that guides states on which diseases should be tested for at birth. Newborn screening is essential . . .
This September as we recognize Newborn Screening Awareness month, we are proud to announce a new partnership with Cure SMA aimed at moving newborn screening forward for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)—the leading genetic cause of death in infants. This is an exciting time for the neuromuscular disease community as decades of research are translating into . . .
