newborn screening programme

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Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The muscular dystrophies are a group of genetic disorders. They cause progressive weakness. Some are severe and limit life expectancy whilst others relatively mild. Some people with the disorder may have no family history of a similar condition.

UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in October 2021.

Screening is not currently recommended for this condition.

Newborn screening for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is not recommended because there is:

  • no suitable or reliable population screening test for newborns
  • a lack of evidence that screening and early treatment would improve the long-term health of babies
  • a lack of evidence of any wider benefits from screening, such as reproductive choices

Supporting documents from the 2022 review

Evidence map
This document investigates whether a more detailed review can be conducted based on the available evidence.

Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.

Supporting documents from the 2016 review

In 2016, the UK NSC did not recommend screening for this condition.

Evidence summary Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (2016)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.

UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (2016)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.

Review cycle

Date previous review completed: 2022

Next review estimated to be completed: 2025 to 2026.

To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.

Organisations interested in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.

List of organisations

If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.