Parents can have their newborn baby screened for a range of congenital conditions. This is done via the so-called heel prick or Guthrie test. This screening test makes it possible to detect rare diseases at an early stage, so that treatment can be started in time. In this way, serious handicaps or injuries can be prevented or the disease process can be slowed down. The heel prick is not mandatory, but is performed in over 99 percent of cases in Flanders.
Earlier this year, the list of screened congenital disorders was expanded to include three rare disorders. Now, with some months delay, SMA is also added. By detecting the disease before it becomes clinically apparent, treatment can be started earlier, reducing the risk of developing muscle weakness and paralysis.
“SMA or spinal muscular atrophy is a rare muscle disease that became widely known because of the story of baby Pia. The medicine for this disease is now also reimbursed,” explains Minister Crevits.
In 2023, the screening program will be gradually expanded to include three diseases, more specifically Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID), Holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency and Homocystinuria.
More information about SMA, its treatment and screening can be found on the website of the Population Screening for Congenital Disorders.