MDH adds newborn screening after encouragement from mother who lost daughter to rare disease

The first 48 hours of a baby’s life can be critical for identifying potential health problems, which is why newborn screenings are critical.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on Friday announced that Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham has approved adding metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) to the list of conditions screened for.

“If babies are found early to have this condition, different treatments and interventions can start before symptoms develop,” said Carrie Wolf, the newborn screening program manager. “Then it can prevent adverse outcomes.”

For the last 15 years, Erica Barnes has been honoring her daughter’s memory by fighting for this screening to help other families who face the devastating diagnosis.

“Chloe was born happy and hea...