Newborn screening: Taiwanese experience

Ann Transl Med. 2019 Jul;7(13):281. doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.05.47.

Abstract

Newborn screening (NBS) aims to diagnose patients with Pompe disease earlier so that timely treatment can be applied. We describe the evolution of the screening methods in Taiwan with a population in which a pseudodeficiency variant is prevalent. We review and update the outcome of NBS-identified patients and discuss the limitations of the current therapy. We also address the challenges associated with caring for the babies with diagnosed acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency but yet without significant clinical manifestations. Further modifications of the current treatment and better predictive biomarkers should be explored.

Keywords: Pompe disease; acid α-glucosidase; enzyme replacement therapy (ERT); newborn screening (NBS); second-tier.

Publication types

  • Review