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Rachel V Thomas

Spinal Muscular Atrophy: England to Roll Out Nationwide Newborn Screening From 2027

Every baby born in England will be offered a life-saving genetic screening test for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from October 2027, the UK Department of Health and Social Care announced on Thursday.

The government said it will expand newborn screening for SMA across the country as part of a national evaluation program. The rollout will begin later this year, with hundreds of thousands of babies expected to be screened before universal coverage is achieved in 2027.

The decision follows campaigning for universal newborn screening by former Little Mix singer <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/sma-type-1-what-this-health-condition-could-mean-for-jesy-nelsons-babies-mobility-article-153395473" data-type="tilCustomLink">Jesy Nelson</a>, whose twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson, were diagnosed with the rare muscle-wasting disorder.

Calling it a "day of hope", Nelson called the move a "victory for every family affected by SMA".

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/meet-erica-schwartz-trumps-cdc-nominee-who-pledges-to-never-betray-science-article-155109702" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet Erica Schwartz: Trump's CDC Nominee Who Pledges to 'Never Betray Science'</a>

The SMA screening evaluation program will begin across England in autumn 2026, with laboratories starting to test newborns from October 2026—three months earlier than originally planned after the government committed to accelerating the rollout.

Almost 72% of newborns in England are already due to be tested from October under a pilot program announced in April.

From October 2027, screening will be expanded to all babies born in England, covering an estimated 560,000 to 570,000 newborns every year. Universal coverage will be achieved by increasing the number of laboratories able to carry out the testing from seven to 13.

The screening will use the routine heel-prick blood test, performed when babies are five days old.

A small blood sample collected through the heel prick will be tested for SMA alongside the 10 conditions already included in the newborn screening program, such as:

<ul><li>Cystic fibrosis</li><li>Sickle cell disease</li><li>Congenital hypothyroidism</li></ul>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/babies-without-vitamin-k-shot-face-higher-brain-bleeding-risk-study-article-155107033" data-type="tilCustomLink">Babies Without Vitamin K Shot At Higher Risk Of Brain Bleeding: Study</a>

SMA can leave babies unable to sit up, crawl or walk. In its most severe forms, it can also affect breathing and swallowing.When diagnosed early, babies can receive effective treatment—including gene therapy—which can significantly improve outcomes.

"No parent should have to watch their child lose the ability to move or breathe, knowing that earlier treatment could have made all the difference," said James Murray, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

<h2>What Is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)?</h2>

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, resulting in a deficiency of the SMN protein.

The condition causes the progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to severe muscle weakness and muscle wasting.

<ul><li>Floppy arms and legs</li><li>Difficulty sitting, crawling or walking</li><li>Problems with breathing and swallowing</li></ul>

If left undiagnosed and untreated, the most severe forms of SMA can be fatal within the first two years of life.

SMA affects around one in every 10,000 babies, with approximately 48 babies diagnosed each year in the UK.

Health officials say newborn screening will allow affected babies to receive life-changing treatment before symptoms develop.

"This is a hugely important step forward. When newborn screening for SMA begins later this year in October, thousands of babies will benefit from earlier diagnosis and access to life-changing treatment," said Giles Lomax, Chief Executive of Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK, while welcoming the announcement.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Spinal Muscular Atrophy

genetic screening test for SMA

Genetic Disorders

Newborn Screening

jesy nelson

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Every baby born in England will be offered a life-saving genetic screening test for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from October 2027, the UK Department of Health and Social Care announced on Thursday.The government said it will expand newborn screening for SMA across the country as part of a national evaluation program. The rollout will begin later this year, with hundreds of thousands of babies expected to be screened before universal coverage is achieved in 2027.The decision follows campaigning for universal newborn screening by former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, whose twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson, were diagnosed with the rare muscle-wasting disorder.Calling it a "day of hope", Nelson called the move a "victory for every family affected by SMA".When Will SMA Screening Begin?Also read: Meet Erica Schwartz: Trump's CDC Nominee Who Pledges to 'Never Betray Science'The SMA screening evaluation program will begin across England in autumn 2026, with laboratories starting to test newborns from October 2026—three months earlier than originally planned after the government committed to accelerating the rollout.Almost 72% of newborns in England are already due to be tested from October under a pilot program announced in April.From October 2027, screening will be expanded to all babies born in England, covering an estimated 560,000 to 570,000 newborns every year. Universal coverage will be achieved by increasing the number of laboratories able to carry out the testing from seven to 13.How Will the Test Be Done?The screening will use the routine heel-prick blood test, performed when babies are five days old.A small blood sample collected through the heel prick will be tested for SMA alongside the 10 conditions already included in the newborn screening program, such as:Cystic fibrosisSickle cell diseaseCongenital hypothyroidismWhy Early Detection MattersRead More: Babies Without Vitamin K Shot At Higher Risk Of Brain Bleeding: StudySMA can leave babies unable to sit up, crawl or walk. In its most severe forms, it can also affect breathing and swallowing.When diagnosed early, babies can receive effective treatment—including gene therapy—which can significantly improve outcomes."No parent should have to watch their child lose the ability to move or breathe, knowing that earlier treatment could have made all the difference," said James Murray, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.What Is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)?Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, resulting in a deficiency of the SMN protein.The condition causes the progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to severe muscle weakness and muscle wasting.Babies with SMA may have:Floppy arms and legsDifficulty sitting, crawling or walkingProblems with breathing and swallowingIf left undiagnosed and untreated, the most severe forms of SMA can be fatal within the first two years of life.SMA affects around one in every 10,000 babies, with approximately 48 babies diagnosed each year in the UK.Health officials say newborn screening will allow affected babies to receive life-changing treatment before symptoms develop."This is a hugely important step forward. When newborn screening for SMA begins later this year in October, thousands of babies will benefit from earlier diagnosis and access to life-changing treatment," said Giles Lomax, Chief Executive of Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK, while welcoming the announcement.

spinal muscular atrophy: england to roll out nationwide newborn screening from 2027 jesy nelson

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