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Utah Department of Health Will Now Test All Utah Newborns For Spinal Muscular Atrophy

As of January 29th, 2018 every infant born in the state of Utah will be screened and tested for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

SMA is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. Most of the nerve cells that control muscles are locating in the spinal cord. 

Both Utah and Massachusetts are the first states to begin screening for SMA. The Utah Department of Health tests approximately 52,000 newborns every year and has identified nearly 400 infants who suffer from more than 40 different disorders with the Newborn Screening Program. With this testing, they can now identify and treat patients with SMA in the first weeks of life, even before symptoms emerge. 

If you would like to read the full article please visit https://health.utah.gov/featured-news/all-utah-newborns-now-tested-for-spinal-muscular-atrophy

For more information on the Utah Department of Health Newborn Screening Program, please visit http://health.utah.gov/nsp/

 

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