A new program created by the Iowa Department of Public Health aims to detect a rare muscular condition within newborn babies. In partnership with the North Dakota Screening Program, the Iowa Newborn Screening Program will take blood samples from all newborns in order to detect Spinal Muscular Atrophy, also known as SMA. This inherited neurological condition progressively leads to muscle weakness, and if not treated quickly enough, can lead to death within the first two years of life. Later onset forms of this condition can lead to physical disability due to increased muscle weakness. Nationally, around 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 babies are born with SMA. The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa is currently taking and testing samples submitted to the program for SMA and other inherited disorders such as blood spot screening, hearing screening, and critical congenital heart disease screening. If a sample comes back positive for SMA, the baby’s primary care provider will be notified with further recommendations. While a cure to SMA is not currently available, there are treatments to manage the symptoms and help those with the condition live a good quality life.