Babies born in Kentucky would undergo a new medical screening under legislation approved in both houses of the state legislature. The full House yesterday unanimously approved the measure to begin testing newborns for Krabbe disease.
Krabbe is a rare and often fatal degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. Western Kentucky Representative Tommy Thompson says the actual screenings could take place outside the Commonwealth. "The State by outsourcing the test would not have to buy and spend the money for the capital equipment, to buy the spectrometer, to hire the individuals. It could be done much more cost effective," said Thompson.
Thompson told fellow House members that Krabbe disease may only be found in one in 100 thousand babies. He says he knows of five cases in Kentucky. Thompson says no child should go without the possibility of medical intervention.
