Utah newborns now screened for an additional rare condition at birth.
Salt Lake City—The Utah Newborn Screening Program has started screening for the rare but serious genetic disorder known as Hunter syndrome.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Hunter syndrome (MPS II) is essential to prevent developmental delays, irreversible organ damage, and early death. The rare disorder affects approximately 1 in every 100,000 to 170,000 newborns in the U.S. each year. We estimate that the Utah newborn screening program will help detect this condition in a Utah infant every 1-2 years.
“Newborn screening is a vital component of public health. By identifying treatable conditions before symptoms begin, we can provide life-changing interventions that are critical to an infant’s lifelong health,” said Mary Rindler, Utah Newborn Screening Program Manager. “Including MPS II in newborn screening allows the infant to be diagnosed and start treatment at the most effective time—before symptoms start. Screening is a simple act that has significant, long-term impacts on the child’s overall health.”
The newborn screening program uses a small blood sample to screen every infant born in Utah for disorders. Newborn screening is a critical public health program that allows for the early diagnosis and treatment of various genetic, hormonal, and metabolic conditions, including cystic fibrosis and PKU. In Utah, blood samples are collected and tested twice: first at 24–48 hours after birth, and again between 7-16 days of age (often at an infant’s two-week follow-up appointment with their pediatrician). The newborn screening program in Utah currently tests for 45 conditions.
To learn more visit, https://newbornscreening.utah.gov.
The Utah Newborn Screening Program thanks the families, scientists, physicians, the Utah Legislature, and the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee for their dedicated efforts in adding MPS II to our screening panel.