England to Screen All Newborns for Deadly Muscle Disease

Jesy Nelson celebrated a plan for England to screen all newborns for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that causes muscle weakness. The former Little Mix singer campaigned for screening after her twin daughters were diagnosed with the condition, previously revealing they may “never walk.” Early treatment with gene therapies can correct the genetic defect causing SMA, but must be administered before symptoms appear.

The screening program, led by scientists at the University of Oxford, will initially launch as a study in October 2026, expanding fully by October 2027. Earlier proposals to screen only 72% of England faced criticism.

The test involves a heel prick blood sample taken shortly after birth. Hundreds of thousands of babies will be screened as part of the study to inform a final decision on permanent nationwide implementation.