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Should every newborn in the UK be screened for spinal muscular atrophy?

by heelPrickScreenYes851 votes

An NHS evaluation is now adding SMA to the routine heel-prick test in participating areas, with specialist teams in Shropshire and Birmingham ready to treat babies before symptoms appear. Campaigners, including Jesy Nelson, have pushed for every baby to be tested because early treatment can change outcomes dramatically. Should this go national straight away?

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15 comments

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  • C
    cloudmaker_561Vote hidden+4503h ago

    Early treatment changes everything with SMA.

  • H
    hopeAgainSloganVote hidden+5963h ago

    Other countries already do this.

    S
    strictlyHosts263h ago

    Fair point, but jesy Nelson's campaigning really made a difference.

    Q
    quiet-story589Vote hidden+2833h ago

    Exactly. heel-prick test is simple, add it.

  • M
    marker_fresh7593h ago

    The trial needs to finish properly first.

  • S
    streamCancelOct3h ago

    Jesy Nelson's campaigning really made a difference.

  • O
    olive.wander572Vote hidden+6503h ago

    Every day matters, roll it out.

    S
    saltpilot967Vote hidden+4253h ago

    Exactly. the trial needs to finish properly first.

  • M
    marker.wild1023Vote hidden+4003h ago

    Funding for treatment has to come with it.

    H
    heycedarsender4093h ago

    Fair point, but funding for treatment has to come with it.

  • Y
    yoroCornerstoneYesVote hidden+5753h ago

    Heel-prick test is simple, add it.

    H
    heytheosong7493h ago

    Fair point, but every day matters, roll it out.

  • S
    spare_archive2933h ago

    Lol. early treatment changes everything with SMA.

  • C
    childPovertyFirst3h ago

    Exactly. other countries already do this.

    C
    cleverpage_1011Vote hidden+3083h ago

    Early treatment changes everything with SMA.