'I'd certainly like it': Irish MEP calls for expansion of heel-prick test
An Irish MEP has called for the Irish newborn heel-prick test to come in line with other European countries and expandthe number of conditions tested for
An Irish MEP says he would “certainly like to see” the newborn heel-prick test expanded and include testing for a wider array of rare conditions.
Ireland currently tests for just 11 rare conditions in the mandatory test, but Billy Kelleher is calling for the country to bring itself into line with other European countries.
Italy tests for over 40 conditions, while Austria and Portugal test for over 30 each, according to The Journal.
MEP Kelleher is a Fianna Fáil member and a member of the European Parliament’s committee on public health.
Earlier this week, he highlighted that Ireland is far behind some of our European neighbours regarding early diagnosis of rare conditions.
The Parliament’s public health committee is currently pushing for greater use of the neonatal heel-prick test across the EU.
“I would certainly like to see it, that there is consistency across Europe. That where you’re born doesn’t decide whether you are diagnosed with a rare disease or not,” MEP Kelleher stated.
He added that expanding testing would benefit not only the individual and their family, but also the greater public.
He believes it would allow for future health planning as well.
“It builds up an awful lot of data, and with the capacities of AI, for example…that would then allow medical services or health services across Europe plan into the future in terms of what would be needed for a population if they can identify rare diseases well in advance,” MEP Kelleher said.
Ireland recently expanded the heel-prick test to include testing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a condition that can be fatal in early childhood.
Ireland made the move following a campaign by Little Mix singer, Jesy Nelson, whose twin babies were diagnosed with the genetic condition.