Newborn screening is an evolving public health system that varies throughout the country due to several factors, including laws of each state, financial costs of screening, frequency of the disorder in the state, availability of treatments and follow-up for each condition, and the funding sources for the state newborn screening program. Most state screening programs screen for disorders on the federally recommended uniform screening panel of disorders screened for in newborns (RUSP).

Currently, CTX is not on the RUSP, and newborn screening for CTX is not routinely being performed by any state, although this is an active area of study.

Newborn screening is performed soon after the birth, and in most cases, while mom and baby are still in the hospital. Families who are aware that a leukodystrophy is in their family’s medical history should speak with a genetic counselor to see what tests can be done prenatally or ensure that testing is done as soon as possible after the baby is born.

Over the past several years, the United Leukodystrophy Foundation (ULF) community has actively participated in lobbying for leukodystrophy newborn screening. Because there are so many different leukodystrophies with different diagnostic tests, it is not currently possible to screen for most of them. The newborn screening tests which are done for a child born in the United States are decided on a state-by-state basis.

Check out the BabysFirstTest.org for more details about testing or contact the ULF if you are interested in sending a letter to your local government representative advocating for leukodystrophy-focused newborn screenings for your state.