While Two-Thirds of U.S. States Now Screen for SMA, Hawaii Newborns Are at Risk for Delayed Diagnosis

HONOLULU, HAWAII, UNITED STATES, January 25, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Building off its most impactful year in state newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Cure SMA is urging Hawaii to complete implementation in 2021 of newborn screening for SMA—the most common genetic cause of mortality for infants in the U.S. This is especially important given the availability of three effective disease-modifying treatments for SMA. As it stands, without statewide screening, newborns in Hawaii are at risk of a delayed diagnosis and profoundly less effective treatment results.

In 2020, a record 17 states started screening for SMA, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington State, and Wyoming. Building on that progress, Cure SMA is now focused on bringing along Hawaii, the other remaining 16 states, and the District of Columbia to take final action in 2021 to protect newborns in their states.

Cure SMA notes that two-thirds (33) of states now screen for SMA. However, the flipside of the tremendous progress made in recent years is that nearly 1 in 3 (32%) newborns born in the U.S. are still at risk of a delayed SMA diagnosis—including all newborns in Hawaii—which can lead to rapid and irreversible health effects.

The early diagnosis and the early treatment of SMA—often pre-symptomatically in the case of diagnosis through newborn screening—is essential to maximizing a child’s health outcomes from this debilitating disease. The earlier these life-saving treatments are administered, the better. An early diagnosis can dramatically improve a child’s quality of life while reducing the total cost of care over a lifetime.

“The urgency to screen newborns for SMA in Hawaii has increased dramatically during the pandemic, where we are seeing nationwide declines in symptomatic diagnoses, likely due to missed symptoms during virtual wellness checks or lapsed appointments with healthcare providers,” said Kenneth Hobby, President, Cure SMA. “We urge Hawaii to implement in 2021 to ensure babies born with SMA in Hawaii receive an early diagnosis and can access the treatment and care appropriate to them.”

About SMA
SMA is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that robs an individual of their ability to walk, eat, and breathe. SMA is the leading genetic cause of death for infants. Symptoms can surface within the first 6 months of life (Type 1, the most severe and common), during the toddler years (Types 2 and 3), or in adulthood (Type 4, the least common form). SMA affects 1 in 11,000 births in the United States each year, and approximately 1 in 50 Americans is a genetic carrier. The good news is that there are now three highly effective treatments for SMA approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that make it possible for babies diagnosed with SMA to achieve developmental milestones and individuals with SMA live full and productive lives.

About Cure SMA
Cure SMA is dedicated to the treatment and cure of SMA. Since 1984, Cure SMA has grown to be the largest network of individuals, families, clinicians, and research scientists working together to advance SMA research, support the full SMA community, and educate public and professional communities about SMA. The organization has directed and invested in comprehensive research that has shaped the scientific community's understanding of SMA, led to breakthroughs in treatment and care, and provides individuals and families the support they need today. For more information, visit www.cureSMA.org.

Leslie Humbel
Cure SMA
+1 3125235016
leslie.humbel@curesma.org