New York State Senators Dean Skelos and Kemp Hannon announced yesterday that they have introduced legislation (S.6656) to strengthen New York State’s Newborn Screening Program by adding Pompe disease (an often fatal neuromuscular disorder which is a highlighted in the new Harrison Ford film, “Extraordinary Measures”), Fabry disease, Niemann-Pick disease, Gaucher disease, and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID) to the list of neonatal tests required in New York State. Early detection and treatment are critical for babies afflicted with these diseases, which can be debilitating and deadly if undiagnosed.

Since the program was introduced in 1965 over 40 disorders have been added to the screening test, which involves a collecting blood from a heel prick with a small needle.

More information on the New York State Newborn Screening Program is available on the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center website. Learn more about newborn screening tests on the March of Dimes website.

Source: NewsLI.com