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Board declines addition of 3MCC deficiency to Washington newborn screening panel
Summary
After Technical Advisory Committee review, the Board concluded 3‑methylcrotonyl‑CoA carboxylase (3MCC) deficiency should not be added to the newborn screening panel because most screened individuals are asymptomatic, costs and program capacity were concerns, and funding would be required before implementation.
The State Board of Health unanimously determined on Jan. 14 not to add 3‑methylcrotonyl‑CoA carboxylase (3MCC) deficiency to Washington’s newborn screening panel following a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) review.
TAC members presented evidence that most people identified through screening for 3MCC remain asymptomatic and that newborn screening can generate false positives and incidental family findings. Department staff described laboratory capacity, cost‑benefit analysis and programmatic concerns, and noted there is currently no formal state mechanism to remove conditions from the panel if later deemed unnecessary.
"The figure reflects a very small number of annual deaths averted," Department staff said when explaining a $40,000 estimate tied to the federal government's value of a statistical life; staff emphasized the population‑level benefit is limited for this condition and that implementation would require secured funding for screening and downstream follow-up services.
Board members weighed ethical, population‑health, equity and system‑capacity considerations. Member Kutz asked whether Washington allows removal of previously adopted conditions; staff said there is no established process in Washington though other states have developed removal criteria. The Board voted to determine that 3MCC should not be added to the state panel and approved the motion unanimously.
Staff will continue to examine process improvements for reviewing both additions and any future potential removals to better align timelines, cost information, and implementation readiness with legislative schedules.
