All newborn babies are set to have a heel prick test for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in England.

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson was told her twin daughters may "never walk" All newborn babies in England will be tested for the genetic disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), as part of a major study. Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has been campaigning for screening since her twin girls were diagnosed with the condition. Nelson described the announcement as a "victory for every family" affected by SMA. SMA causes muscle weakness. This affects movement such as the ability to walk, but it also affects the muscles needed to breathe and to swallow. However, there are pioneering gene therapies that can correct the genetic defect that causes SMA. They need to be given before symptoms emerge as they cannot undo any damage that has already been done – hence the call for testing newborns. Earlier this year, Nelson revealed she had been told her daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster would "probably never walk".