Minnesota Newborns Now Being Screened for Rare Deadly Disease

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- Screening is underway to detect a rare and potentially deadly disease in Minnesota newborns. 

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That’s according to a news release issued earlier this week by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The disorder was recently added to Minnesota’s Newborn Screening Program. 

The ailment is called Krabbe disease. Health officials say the rare genetic condition prevents newborns from  fully breaking down certain fats, which causes the fats to build up in the body and can lead to damage to the nerves affecting a person’s ability to eat, walk and speak. 

The most severe cases of the disease can cause the infant to die within the first two years of life, the news release says. Krabbe disease has no known cure but early detection and treatment can improve quality of life and lessen the impact of the symptoms. 

Officials say the only existing treatment is a stem cell transplant that’s performed within the first 30 days after a baby with the disease is born. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham said of the condition's addition to the state's screening program: 

Minnesota has one of the most comprehensive newborn screening programs in the country. Adding Krabbe disease to the long list of conditions the lab already screens for will help identify more children earlier, slow the progression of their symptoms and even increase their lifespan. 

- Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham.

The news release says early detection of the condition allows families to receive appropriate care by the metabolic specialists at M Health Fairview, which is currently the only center in the region equipped to perform stem cell transplants in newborns. 

Cunningham approved routine newborn screening for the rare condition last year. 60,400 newborns were screened in Minnesota last year and the screenings resulted in early intervention and treatment for conditions found in 400 newly-born babies, MDH says.

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