Spinal Muscular Atrophy added to Colorado’s newborn screening panel

The state Board of Health recently added Spinal Muscular Atrophy to Colorado’s newborn screening panel, the list of conditions for which babies are tested with a “heel stick” shortly after birth.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the most common genetic cause of death in children under age 2. The disease targets the nerves that control muscles and can affect the ability to walk, eat and breathe. Between three and nine Colorado babies are affected each year, but without screening at birth, they are not identified until they begin to show symptoms and have suffered irreversible damage.

For Coloradan Michelle Pritekel, the newborn test combined with current treatments could have helped her son Levi. Levi was diagnosed with Type 3 SMA at age 2, and by age 4, he was using a wheelchair.

Fortunately, treatments approved in 2016 have made a remarkable difference for Levi, now age 8. He can walk short distances and is “doing fantastic,” according to his mom.

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