AB Gov’t announces new screening test on newborns for spinal muscular atrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Canada is providing $366,000 to Alberta Precision Laboratories to begin screening newborns for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).  SMA is a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness. The test, which is part of a one-year pilot initiative, will be added to Alberta’s Newborn Metabolic Screening Program which currently screens newborns for 21 conditions.  Health Minister Tyler Shandro says early detection will help babies with SMA have more of a fighting chance.