04/23/2024

Ohio Becomes First State to Screen Newborns for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

It is the most common hereditary neuromuscular disease

Ohio is now the first state in the nation to begin screening newborns for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Governor Mike DeWine announced Monday.

The provision was included in the state’s budget bill signed by DeWine in July 2023. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) was added to a list of 40 other rare medical conditions in the Ohio Department of Health’s Newborn Screening program.

It is the most common hereditary neuromuscular disease and also one of the most severe forms of inherited muscular dystrophies, according to a release. Each year there are an estimated 20,000 cases diagnosed worldwide.

Please select this link to read the complete article from WBNS-10TV.