Newborn screening and rapid genomic diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases

Background In recent years, treatments have been approved for certain neuromuscular diseases. In some cases, early pre-symptomatic treatment is necessary for optimal response, and thus newborn screening is critical. Objective To review the current status of newborn screening programs for neuromuscular diseases and early diagnosis through genetic testing. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was performed on PubMed for screening of neuromuscular diseases; the search was conducted on literature available as of 1 May 2024. Results Included were 77 articles on newborn screening for seven diseases: spinal muscular atrophy (19 studies), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (15), Pompe disease (20), X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (14), Krabbe disease (6), metachromatic leukodystrophy (2), and myotonic dystrophy 1 (1). Ten articles on rapid genomic diagnosis were identified. Conclusion Since 2021, newborn screening programs for neuromuscular diseases have been established, notably in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, Pompe disease, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Even in diseases where treatment is currently not life-changing, such as Krabbe disease, new newborn screening programs continue to be implemented, especially in the USA. The use of genetic diagnostic tests does not yet appear to be widespread or at least not widely reported. As new treatments become available, genomic newborn screening programs will need to be rapidly and broadly implemented.