Wisconsin Newborn Screening for SMA
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited (genetic) condition that affects the nerve cells that carry messages from the brain to the muscles of the body. Newborn screening for SMA allows early diagnosis and treatment for SMA. Find more information about SMA, newborn screening for SMA, and SMA diagnosis and treatment.
With funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (H4NMC49277), we have established this Wisconsin Newborn Screening for SMA dashboard and will update the information annually. The screening test is done at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, and clinical care is provided at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison and Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
General Information
Program starting date: 10/15/2019
Period of data report: 10/15/2019 – 12/31/2024
Since October 15, 2019, there were 310,930 Wisconsin newborns screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). There were 34 reported screen positive newborns, and all 34 were confirmed.
Confirmed Screen Positive Cases
Of the 34 Wisconsin newborns confirmed positive for SMA, 18 were male and 16 were female.
Race Distribution
The pie chart on the far left shows race distribution of all Wisconsin newborns screened for SMA. The pie chart on the near left shows race distribution of Wisconsin newborns confirmed positive for SMA.
Ethnicity Distribution
The pie chart on the far left shows ethnicity distribution of all Wisconsin newborns screened for SMA. The pie chart on the near left shows ethnicity distribution of Wisconsin newborns confirmed positive for SMA.
Location of Children with SMA
Wisconsin children who screened positive for SMA live throughout the state. The general locations where they live are noted by white dots. Care for newborns and children with SMA is provided at two locations: American Family Children’s Hospital, affiliated with UW–Madison, in Madison, and Children’s Wisconsin, affiliated with Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee.
Newborn Screening Timeline
The goal of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) newborn screening is to identify newborns with the condition and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Newborn screening specimen collection typically occurs between 1 and 2 days after birth. The specimen typically arrives at the lab 2 to 3 days after collection, and the lab typically finalizes results within 1 to 2 days.
It typically takes 5 to 7 days after birth for a family to be notified of a positive screen for SMA through newborn screening. A family’s first visit with a neurologist typically happens around 1 week after birth, and treatment is typically initiated within three weeks of birth.
Health Outcomes of SMA Newborns
The graph “Health Outcomes of SMA Newborns” shows that when SMA was found through newborn screening and children received treatment, their outcomes were healthier than those of children whose SMA was not found by newborn screening.
The green bars represent children with SMA not found by newborn screening. They can have breathing, feeding, and motor problems.
The blue bars represent children with SMA found by newborn screening. Early treatment leads to healthier outcomes.