Texas Expands Newborn Screenings: 59 Diseases Now Tested at Birth

Newborn babies in Texas will now be tested for nearly 60 conditions and diseases after birth, according to a new announcement from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS).

Texas Babies Tested for Diseases

That's right, a decision from TDSHS has added four new tests to newborn baby laboratory screening, bringing the total to 59 per baby.

When newborns are tested, a sample of their blood is taken from their heels and sent to laboratories for analysis. Each sample is taken when the baby is anywhere from 24 to 48 hours hold, then again after 7 to 14 days.

Experts agreed that four new tests addressing lysosomal diseases should be added to protocol after each birth in Texas.

See the full list of diseases and conditions tested after birth in Texas here.

What Are Lysosomal Diseases?

Great question! Lysosomal diseases are rare genetic conditions that "cause a buildup of toxic materials in the body's cells and organs," according to TDSHS.

To be specific, the four new tests added to the existing list of tests include the following:

• Pompe Disease (Affects about 4-10 births each year in Texas)
  • Can cause muscle and cardiac problems in infants that can lead to death within the first year
• Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (Affects about 4 each year in Texas)
  • Can cause issues with the heart, airways, eyes, ears, muscles, joints, and the brain
• Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (Affects about 4 each year in Texas)
  • Two versions that each can cause issues with liver, heart, lungs, mouth, brain, behavior, etc.
• Infantile Krabbe Disease (Affects about 4 each year in Texas)
  • In infants, can cause irritability, seizures, difficulty feeding, and is a rapid process that can lead to death

Thanks to these and existing tests, approximately 1,000 newborns with life-threatening disorders are identified and treated in Texas.