UKNSLN statement on expanding newborn blood spot screening

 

The UK Newborn Screening Laboratories Network (UKNSLN) acknowledges recent media coverage about expanding newborn blood spot (NBS) screening in the UK and recognises the life-changing impact of early detection for conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

While screening laboratories do not decide screening policy and UKNSLN recognises that such decisions are often difficult and complex, UKNSLN believes there is significant scope to expand and improve NBS screening in the UK. Although genomic sequencing is likely to play an important role in the future, many expansions could be achieved now using established methods already widely used internationally.

With appropriate investment, UKNSLN laboratories are ready to support the safe introduction of new conditions to the NBS screening programme and the research needed to inform future policy. The UKNLSN therefore welcomes the EquipoISE proposals for a rolling multi-condition in-service evaluation within the NBS screening programme.