# Neonatal Genetic Screening Results for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Romania: Insights from a 3-Years Pilot Program

## TL;DR

A pilot program in Romania for neonatal screening of spinal muscular atrophy successfully identified affected infants early, showing promise for future national implementation.

## Contribution

The study presents the first pilot program for SMA neonatal screening in Romania, demonstrating its feasibility and impact.

## Key findings

- Approximately 60,000 newborns were screened, identifying 12 with SMN1 deletions at an incidence of 1 in 5125 live births.
- All confirmed SMA cases were promptly referred for specialized care and early treatment.
- The program expanded from 4 to 28 maternity hospitals, showing increasing feasibility and acceptance.

## Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by bi-allelic deletions or pathogenic SMN1 variants. Early diagnosis through neonatal screening is essential for timely therapeutic intervention, significantly improving clinical outcomes. In August 2022, a pilot neonatal screening program for SMA was launched in Romania, aiming to assess feasibility and impact. Objectives are to present the preliminary results of the ongoing SMA neonatal screening pilot program in Romania, evaluating its effectiveness in early detection and referral for treatment. The program started in August 2022 with four maternity hospitals and has progressively expanded to 28 maternity hospitals nationwide. Dried blood spot samples from newborns were analyzed for SMN1 gene deletions using real-time PCR. Positive results were confirmed through genetic testing, and affected infants, along with their families, were referred for further medical evaluation and early therapeutic intervention. Approximately 60,000 newborns have been screened since the program’s inception, and 12 newborns tested positive for SMN1 deletions, resulting in an estimated incidence rate of 1 in 5125 live births. All confirmed cases were promptly referred for specialized care, with early access to disease-modifying therapies. The program has faced challenges in logistics, parental awareness, and equitable access to treatment, but its expansion from 4 to 28 maternities demonstrates increasing feasibility, suitability, and acceptance. Conclusions: The Romanian pilot neonatal screening program for SMA has successfully identified affected infants early, proving its feasibility and clinical impact. The ongoing expansion suggests a strong foundation for a future national program, which could significantly improve early SMA diagnosis and patient outcomes in Romania.