Babies to be screened for disorder that causes cancer

HT1 added to heel prick test

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

NEWBORN babies will be screened for a rare life-threatening metabolic disorder that can lead to kidney disease and cancer.

The NHS has announced that a check for hereditary tyrosinaemia Type 1 will be added to the heel prick test when they are around five days old, also known as newborn blood spot screening.

It will become the 10th condition assessed, also including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

HT1 sufferers cannot break down an amino acid called tyrosine.

Reassurance