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Last Posted: May 30, 2024
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Current Status of Newborn Bloodspot Screening Worldwide 2024: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Activities (2020–2023)

From the abstract: "Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) began in the early 1960s based on the work of Dr. Robert “Bob” Guthrie in Buffalo, NY, USA. His development of a screening test for phenylketonuria on blood absorbed onto a special filter paper and transported to a remote testing laboratory began it all. Expansion of NBS to large numbers of asymptomatic congenital conditions flourishes in many settings while it has not yet been realized in others. "

Defining the Minimal Long-Term Follow-Up Data Elements for Newborn Screening

From the abstract: "Newborn screening (NBS) is hailed as a public health success, but little is known about the long-term outcomes following a positive newborn screen. There has been difficulty gathering long-term follow-up (LTFU) data consistently, reliably, and with minimal effort. Six programs developed and tested a core set of minimal LTFU data elements. After an iterative data collection process and the development of a data collection tool, the group agreed on the minimal LTFU data elements. The denominator captured all infants with an NBS diagnosis, accounting for children who moved or died prior to the follow-up year. "

Assessing the Benefits and Harms Associated with Early Diagnosis from the Perspective of Parents with Multiple Children Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
O Battacharria et al, IJNS, April 15, 2024

From the abstract: " Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare neuromuscular disorder diagnosed in childhood. Limited newborn screening in the US often delays diagnosis. With multiple FDA-approved therapies, early diagnosis is crucial for timely treatment but may entail other benefits and harms. Using a community-based survey, we explored how parents of siblings with DMD perceived early diagnosis of one child due to a prior child’s diagnosis. We assessed parents’ viewpoints across domains including diagnostic journey, treatment initiatives, service access, preparedness, parenting, emotional impact, and caregiving experience."

Clinical Effectiveness of Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.
Oliver Schwartz et al. JAMA Pediatr 2024 4

From the abstract: " Is early diagnosis through newborn screening associated with improved outcomes in infants with spinal muscular atrophy compared to those diagnosed after onset of symptoms? In this nonrandomized controlled trial within the SMARTCARE registry, patients identified by newborn screening showed better motor development with disease-modifying treatments than those who were diagnosed after onset of symptoms. These results offer supporting evidence for the benefit of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy. "


Disclaimer: Articles listed in the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base are selected by the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics to provide current awareness of the literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the update, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

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