London: Every baby born in England will be screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from October 2027, under a new government initiative aimed at identifying the rare genetic condition at birth and ensuring affected infants receive life-changing treatment as early as possible.
The Department of Health and Social Care announced the nationwide rollout, describing it as a major step towards improving early diagnosis.
Campaigners welcomed the decision, saying universal screening would help babies with SMA receive treatment before symptoms develop, allowing many to grow up free from the disease’s most severe effects.
We're expanding testing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) across England.
From October, SMA checks will start being added to the heel-prick test for newborns.
This is part of an evaluation gathering evidence for a permanent national screening programme.https://t.co/Jpm1fi6ueF pic.twitter.com/DyPeUd5y7Q
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) July 16, 2026
Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare muscle-wasting condition that affects around one in every 10,000 babies, with approximately 48 cases diagnosed each year in the UK.
The disease causes severe muscle weakness, leaving babies unable to sit, crawl, or walk, while also affecting breathing and swallowing. Without early diagnosis and treatment, some children with the most severe forms of SMA may die before the age of two.
Babies diagnosed shortly after birth can receive an effective gene therapy that significantly improves outcomes and can prevent many of the condition’s debilitating symptoms.
Under a pilot program announced in April, around 72 percent of newborns in England were due to begin receiving SMA screening from October 2026. However, the limited rollout drew criticism from campaigners, who warned it could create a ‘postcode lottery’ in which some babies would miss out on early diagnosis depending on where they were born.
In response, ministers confirmed that all babies born in England, around 560,000 to 570,000 each year, will be offered the test from October 2027. The expansion will be supported by all 13 laboratories capable of carrying out SMA screening, up from the current seven.
Heel-prick blood test
From October, SMA testing will be added to the routine heel-prick blood test performed when babies are five days old. The screening already checks newborns for 10 other conditions, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and congenital hypothyroidism.
Giles Lomax, Chief Executive of Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK, described the move as ‘a hugely important step forward,’ and added that “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.”
Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, called the announcement a landmark moment for families affected by SMA and for the organisations that have campaigned for years to secure universal newborn screening.
The issue has gained national attention following campaigning by former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, whose twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson, were diagnosed with SMA.
After previously criticising the partial rollout, Nelson welcomed the government’s latest decision, calling it ‘a day of hope’ and saying it marked the beginning of a brighter future for families affected by the condition.
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