The only hope for MPS kids like mine is to be able to detect the disease before symptoms emerge, and newborn screening is the most cost-effective way to do that.
I have two sons affected by MPS II. They were diagnosed around the same time and started treatments immediately, but damage to the brain had already begun. Eight years later my younger son, who got treatment at an earlier age, now clearly demonstrates much better outcome physically and developmentally. Often, I think of how different things would have been had they both been screened at birth and started treatment sooner. The only hope for MPS kids like mine is to be able to detect the disease before symptoms emerge, and newborn screening is the most cost-effective way to do that. Our next generation and most vulnerable citizens need our support!
