Babies across England are to be screened from birth for spinal muscular atrophy under a national newborn screening evaluation programme announced by the government.
The Department of Health and Social Care says the expansion will give clinicians a better chance of identifying the rare genetic condition before symptoms appear. The programme is expected to screen hundreds of thousands of babies after it begins later this year.
SMA can leave babies unable to sit up, crawl or walk, and in the most severe cases can stop them breathing or swallowing. The government says early diagnosis can allow treatment to begin before symptoms appear and can significantly improve outcomes for affected children.
Testing will use the existing newborn heel prick process, in which a small blood sample is taken shortly after birth. Laboratories are expected to start testing babies for SMA from October 2026, which the government says is three months ahead of the original schedule.
The department says it will seek investment to fund the rollout. It has pointed to a similar programme already established in Scotland with private sector funding, and says it will look at a comparable approach in England while working with partners.
Implementation is due to continue through 2027 until every newborn screening laboratory across the UK is offering the test, according to campaigner Jesy Nelson. The government said campaigners and organisations representing families affected by SMA had pressed for wider screening.