SPRINGFIELD – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – also known as DMD – is a rare disorder, but severe if not caught early enough to be treated. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a bill that would require all newborns to be screened for DMD.

“Although rare, DMD is a devastating disease – often taking children from their parents around the age of 5,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Early diagnoses of DMD will save precious lives and restore hope.”

By the time the symptoms of DMD are detected, it is typically too late to treat. Additionally, it takes 2.5 years on average to diagnose after caregivers first notice symptoms – giving children little to no time to receive help. Senate Bill 2658 would require each newborn to be screened for the disease, giving those diagnosed the ability to receive affective treatment.

“Every child deserves a fighting chance and we – as policymakers – have the opportunity to increase survival of this universally fatal disease,” said Morrison. “A simple screening can be the difference between life and death.”

Senate Bill 2658 passed the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday and moves to the full Senate for further consideration.