Parental Attitudes Toward Newborn Screening for Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Wood, Molly (2012) Parental Attitudes Toward Newborn Screening for Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

A sensitive and specific screen for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been clinically confirmed, but the acceptability of adding DMD to the newborn screening (NBS) program has been controversial due to a lack of evidence that early diagnosis improves clinical outcome. With promising new gene therapies currently in clinical trials, it is reasonable to consider NBS for DMD for early pharmaceutical intervention. It is our objective to assess parents’ attitudes toward the acceptability of including DMD, the milder and allelic Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the NBS panel, as well as to determine which factors (early diagnosis, family planning, parent-child bonding, anxiety, decision regret, time to prepare) are the most influential in parents’ opinions.

Methods: Two cohorts were recruited separately and surveyed about their attitudes toward NBS for DMD/BMD/SMA. Expectant parents were recruited with no regard to family history, and their opinions were compared to those of parents of children with DMD, BMD, or SMA.

Results: Of the 65 parents of children with DMD, BMD, or SMA that were surveyed, 63 (97%) supported NBS for DMD/BMD/SMA, either as a mandatory screen or with parental permission. Of the 400 expectant parents surveyed, 369 (92.5%) would have their child screened at birth for an incurable, life-shortening disease such as DMD/BMD/SMA. Expectant parents, especially those who would choose to have their child screened, viewed the benefits of early diagnosis (58.9%) as the most influential factor in their decision.

Conclusions: There is strong support for NBS for DMD/BMD/SMA in both cohorts, which is not contingent on further therapeutic development. The consideration of including non-treatable diseases in NBS should include consideration of parental opinions on the beneficence of screening. Although there is currently no direct medical benefit to early diagnosis in DMD/BMD/SMA, parents responded that early diagnosis could have other, less tangible benefits. Parental opinions, along with promising clinical trials, make the implementation of an optional screen ideal for DMD, BMD, and SMA.

Public Health Importance: NBS is the foremost intersection of genetics and public health. It is imperative to involve public opinion when assessing the acceptability of adding a potentially controversial disease to a standard panel.

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Details

Item Type:	University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status:	Unpublished
Creators/Authors:	Creators Email Pitt Username ORCID Wood, Molly mfw20@pitt.edu MFW20
ETD Committee:	Title Member Email Address Pitt Username ORCID Thesis Advisor Clemens, Paula clempr@upmc.edu Committee Member Grubs, Robin rgrubs@pitt.edu RGRUBS Committee Member Gettig, Elizabeth bgettig@pitt.edu BGETTIG Committee Member Barmada, M. Michael barmada@pitt.edu BARMADA
Date:	2 July 2012
Date Type:	Publication
Defense Date:	6 April 2012
Approval Date:	2 July 2012
Submission Date:	3 April 2012
Access Restriction:	1 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 1 year.
Number of Pages:	108
Institution:	University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs:	School of Public Health > Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Degree:	MS - Master of Science
Thesis Type:	Master's Thesis
Refereed:	Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:	duchenne becker muscular dystrophy spinal muscular atrophy DMD BMD SMA parent attitudes newborn screen screening NBS
Date Deposited:	02 Jul 2012 13:42
Last Modified:	15 Nov 2016 13:57
URI:	http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12038

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• Parental Attitudes Toward Newborn Screening for Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. (deposited 02 Jul 2012 13:42) [Currently Displayed]

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