Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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The first baby to be identified through Scotland’s pioneering Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) newborn screening programme has started treatment following an early diagnosis.

The baby was tested for the rare genetic condition, that can cause progressive muscle weakness and affect movement, breathing and swallowing, at just five days old at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Following the positive result, the infant was rapidly referred to specialist services to begin treatment before symptoms developed.

The programme was launched in March 2026 and is the first of its kind in the UK, with tests carried out by the Scottish Newborn Screening Laboratory located at the Glasgow hospital.

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