Contents
Newborns born this year will start being tested for SMA, or spinal muscular atrophy. The Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffs issued a positive decision in this matter. According to neurologists, it is a very good and necessary decision.
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – This condition has entered the newborn screening list
- The Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffs changed its negative opinion on this matter from more than a month ago
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder. It occurs with a frequency of 1: 6000 – 8000 cases
- More current health information can be found on the Onet homepage
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – there will be a newborn screening this year in Poland
The President of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffs decided to include testing for SMA in the national program of screening in newborns.
“After hearing the opinion of the Transparency Council, I positively express my opinion on the change in the draft health policy program. Newborn Screening Program in the Republic of Poland for 2019-2022, consisting in the addition of the screening panel to the examination for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the proposed wording” – we read in official announcement.
– We can safely say that this is the news of the day, or even of the year! – assessed this decision by prof. Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk, head of the Department and Clinic of Neurology at the Medical University of Warsaw, in an interview with Rynek Zdrowia service.
This is a change in AOTMiT’s position on this matter. At the end of December last year, the president of the agency issued a negative opinion.
- Newborn screening tests – how and for what purpose?
This year, 141 jobs are to be completed. research in 10 voivodships, and 2022 are planned for 274. research nationwide.
The SMA Foundation noted that Poland has the third most extensive newborn screening program among all European countries. There are 29 diseases on the list, now has SMA added to the list.
What is SMA?
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetically determined group of neuromuscular diseases that share the common feature of the loss of spinal cord motor neurons (which transmit impulses from the brain to the muscles), leading to muscle weakness and wasting.
- Child’s profile, i.e. what tests to perform in a small child
The disease occurs with a frequency of 1: 6 – 000. It can develop both in the fetal period and in adulthood. The most common symptoms of the disease are: trembling fingers, symmetrical, progressive weakening of muscle strength as well as weakness or lack of deep reflexes, e.g. a knee reflex that fades first.
There are three main clinical forms of SMA: infantile form (Werdnig-Hoffmann disease), intermediate form and juvenile form (Kugelberg-Welander disease. Occasionally there is a fourth type of disease that occurs in adults).
The diagnosis of SMA is possible thanks to genetic tests.
Genetic screening for SMA for newborns and children is available on Medonet Market.
Read also:
- Seven genetic diseases that mainly affect men
- The most common genetic diseases. How are they made?
- Nine arguments to convince skeptics to vaccinate
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