Skip to content
Make a donation
Make a donation

Newborn Screening Blood Spot Tests and Results

Newborn Screening Blood Spot Tests and Results

Last updated: June 2026.

This section of our website is for any parent of a newborn baby who wants to know more about the bloodspot screening test for SMA. It may also be useful for parents who are currently pregnant.
SMA is a rare condition. There are different forms of SMA. The most common and treatable form is called 5q-SMA. To make this easier to read we call it SMA.

 

Why are some newborn babies being offered a blood spot test for SMA?

The NHS offers newborn blood spot screening. This uses a heel prick to take blood when a baby is 5 days old. It currently looks for 10 rare but serious conditions.

The UK National Screening Committee’s (NSC) decides which conditions can be screened for. They have set up a study called an In Service Evaluation (ISE). This will offer blood spot screening for SMA to some newborn babies in the UK.

The ISE will collect evidence to help the NSC decide whether to recommend that SMA is added to the NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme.

Can my baby be tested as part of the ISE?

Scotland:

Newborn babies may now be tested for SMA as part of the evaluation.

England:

Newborn screening for SMA (NBS for SMA) will begin in October 2026. This will be in areas covered by the 7 newborn screening laboratories that already have the equipment needed to start screening for SMA.

We do not know exactly when these laboratories will start or which hospitals and communities they will cover. If the ISE for SMA screening is happening in your area, your midwife will offer you the choice of having your baby screened for this condition.

Wales & Northern Ireland:

There are no plans at this stage to offer newborn screening for SMA as part of this evaluation.

Latest NSC update about the plans: 12th May 2026 UK National Screening Committee Blog >.

Follow the links below to find out more about the test. We also explain what options there may be if your area is not offering the test.
Newborn Screening Test for SMA - words

Helping you decide

SMA 'suspected' test result - in words

Hearing this & next steps

Image text reads: 'If you’re not offered NBS for SMA'

What options do you have?

'Testing for SMA in Pregnancy' - words

When is this possible?

If you are pregnant, you may want to find out about the Generation Study.  This is separate from the NHS Blood Spot Programme and the ISE for SMA.  Recruitment to the study began in 2024 and is expected to be completed  in early 2027. The study tests  for 200+ conditions, including SMA.  It offers a free and safe test that takes place just after birth.

Find out more about the study, its eligibility criteria and register your interest:

The Generation Study > 

If your are chosen to take part, the Generation Study will contact you. They are independent of SMA UK.