The severe muscle disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy) can be added to the heel prick screening. This is expected to be possible from October 2022. The RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment has concluded this in the implementation test, which states what is required to detect SMA with the heel prick. The Netherlands will then be one of the first countries in Europe to screen newborns for SMA. If it turns out that screening for SMA can start earlier, this will of course happen.
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SMA is a serious congenital muscle disease. Children with SMA become paralyzed and can die from it. Every year, 15 to 20 children are born with SMA disease. The complaints usually start at a young age. By detecting the disease early, treatment can start quickly. This prevents irreparable damage and serious suffering.
Many steps are required to add SMA to the heel prick screening. One step is to purchase a good test method. It is important that screening for SMA is done carefully and fits into the heel prick screening process. Heel prick screening has been successful for years in detecting serious, treatable diseases in newborns. The heel prick screening now detects more than 20 diseases. This number will be further expanded.
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