Victorian newborns will now be screened for two additional rare but serious health conditions.
The move is designed to help identify babies at risk of developing illnesses and ensure they receive lifesaving treatment sooner.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Medical Research Minister Ben Carroll visited the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in March.
They announced the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program – commonly known as the heel prick test – would screen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).
The addition of SCID and SMA will see the program test babies for 29 uncommon conditions, ensuring parents can get their children early treatment so they live long, healthy lives.
“No parent wants to even think about their child being sick – but newborn screening means babies with serious health conditions get the very best care for the very best chance in life,” Ms Allan said.
In Victoria, about two babies per year will be born with SCID and eight with SMA.
Weakening the immune system, SCID affects the body’s ability to fight infections due to compromised white blood cells, but early diagnosis and stem cell treatment before three-and-a-half months can be lifesaving.
Identifying newborns with SCID will enable access to a new gene therapy trial delivered by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and announced by the government last year – the first time a cure has been offered in Australia.
SMA is a serious disease causing progressive muscle wastage and weakness that is life-threatening without treatment.
There is no cure but early intervention and new treatments are improving outcomes.
The State Government has invested more than $1 million to roll out the additional screening, including adding congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) to the program last year.
CAH is a serious but treatable condition that affects the production of hormones. If caught early, babies who receive proper treatment can lead full lives.
The program is offered to the parents of all newborns within their first 72 hours of life, at no cost. Last year more than 73,000 Victorian newborns were screened.
Newborn bloodspot screening started in Victoria in 1966, with more than 3.6 million babies screened to date.
One in 1000 are found to have a rare but serious condition such as congenital hypothyroidism and cystic fibrosis.
