Alabama Department of Public Health begins newborn screening for Pompe disease and MPS 1.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) started screening newborns for Pompe disease and Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 1 (MPS 1), two treatable genetic disorders. These conditions can cause severe muscle weakness and toxic material build-up in cells, respectively. Early detection and treatment offer most affected babies the chance to grow up healthy. The ADPH is collaborating with the University of Alabama at Birmingham to confirm diagnoses.