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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

All newborns in England to be screened for spinal muscular atrophy from 2027

England Jesy Nelson Ocean Jade Story Monroe Nelson Disease
A medical worker wearing a latex glove carries out a heel-prick test on a baby's foot
The heel-prick test, which in England screens for 10 other conditions including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, will be used to detect SMA. Photograph: David Gee 4/Alamy

Every baby born in England will be screened for a rare muscle-wasting disease, starting next year, the Department of Health and Social Care announced on Thursday.

Campaigners said the “landmark moment” should lead to babies who were found to have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) being treated early and thus growing up without any of its debilitating symptoms.

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