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Scotland Launches Newborn SMA Screening for Early Detection

3/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Scotland has become the first part of the United Kingdom to implement newborn SMA screening in the heel-prick test, under a two-year pilot.
The test will be routine for all babies born in Scotland, enabling early SMA identification and timely gene therapy.
Tony and Carrie, Grayce's parents, advocate for screening to spare families the distress of delayed diagnosis.
Jesy Nelson, the singer, supports the screening because her twins have SMA.

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Story summary

Scotland has become the first part of the United Kingdom to implement newborn SMA screening in the heel-prick test, under a two-year pilot.
The test will be routine for all babies born in Scotland, enabling early SMA identification and timely gene therapy.
Tony and Carrie, Grayce's parents, advocate for screening to spare families the distress of delayed diagnosis.
Jesy Nelson, the singer, supports the screening because her twins have SMA.