Scotland is first in UK to screen newborns for rare condition

Early detection can help avoid worst effects

- BY CRAIG MEIGHAN

SCOTLAND has become the first part of the UK to screen babies for a rare condition that causes progressive muscle wastage in a move parents have described as a “game-changer”.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can result in muscle weakness, breathing and swallowing issues and a loss of mobility in children.

If caught early, the most devastating effects of the condition can be avoided.

On average, three to four babies per year are born with SMA in Scotland.

Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has campaigned for all babies to be tested for SMA, after disclosing her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, were diagnosed with the rare condition.

In February, she announced she had become a patron of SMA UK and urged her fans to donate to the charity, which aims to improve the lives of people with the condition.

However, all parents in Scotland will now be offered SMA screening for their newborns through the existing blood spot test which is taken around day four after birth.

Tony and Carrie Pearson’s daughter, Grayce was around six months old when she stopped being able to move her legs and began losing her strength.