New Health Department Screenings

The Texas Department of State Health Services will now test all newborns for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease where the nerve cells in the spine break down causing big health issues.

The nerves quit functioning to innervate the muscles which eventually affects their walking, their movement, their ability to breathe,

It affects one in 10,000 children, and now with the early screening, the symptoms can be managed before it is too late.

This new screening can detect nearly 95 percent of all cases before symptoms occur and the state health commissioner believes it will help identify 40 cases per year in our state.

Story by: Chuck Williams