Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Addition of Two New Disorders to Virginia’s Newborn Screening Program

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced the addition of two new disorders to the Commonwealth’s newborn screening program, which helps detect a variety of rare, life-threatening conditions in infants. Beginning March 16, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) will join a screening panel of metabolic and genetic disorders that range from the more well-known Cystic Fibrosis to many relatively obscure conditions that can cause severe sickness, physical or mental disabilities, even death, if not diagnosed early.

“While these disorders are rare, the ability to diagnose and treat them early is life-changing and possibly life-saving for these babies,” Governor Youngkin said. “Every child born in Virginia deserves the best possible start in life, and our dedicated scientists and nurses in the newborn screening program have committed their lives to making sure that happens.”

Virginia’s newborn screening program is a partnership between the Department of General Services’ Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The program was first mandated in 1966 and is required by law for all babies born in the Commonwealth except when parents have a religious objection. DCLS tests dried blood samples derived from pricking the baby’s heel 24-48 hours after birth to screen for 33 disorders, once the two are added this week. Additionally, the program includes screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defect and a hearing test to identify congenital hearing loss, both of which are completed before the baby leaves the hospital. Babies who fail the initial hearing screen are tested for congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), a viral infection that can lead to hearing loss.

“Scientific advances allow us to continue to build on Virginia’s newborn screening program, which started with screening for one disorder in 1966 and has grown to include the identification of thousands of babies each year who are either born with a disorder or could be a carrier,” said DGS Director Joe Damico. “This program is an extraordinary example of agencies working together to improve the lives of Virginia’s residents.” … (Excerpt from Governor Glenn Youngkin Newsroom)