England begins newborn screening programme for spinal muscular atrophy

The NHS in England began testing newborns for spinal muscular atrophy in October 2026, earlier than planned. The programme started before its original January 2027 date and currently covers around 72% of babies born in England.

Spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, is a genetic condition that damages muscle control. About 47 babies with SMA are born in the UK each year. When doctors find SMA early, they can start treatment before any symptoms appear, which can greatly improve a child's health long-term.

For years, patient groups and doctors pushed for this testing to become routine. The government had previously said there was not enough evidence to add SMA to the standard programme. The current evaluation will help decide whether to include it permanently.