NEWSFLASH! NBS Expansion to Victoria

From 21 March 2024, babies born in Victoria will now be screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) with the expansion of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) Program.

Commonly referred to as the heel prick test, the addition of SMA and SMA will see the program test babies for 29 uncommon conditions in Victoria. “Early treatment saves lives, and with the addition of SMA and SCID to a simple heel prick test, families can get the care their baby needs, sooner.” says Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas.

Victoria joins other states and territories – NSW/Act (permanently funded since June 2022; pilot since August 2018), Western Australia (January 2023) and Queensland (May 2023) – that include SMA on their programs.

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