Newborn baby screening study at University Hospital Southampton

Parents are introduced to the voluntary study during pregnancy.

“If a possible condition is identified, families are contacted promptly and offered further NHS testing to confirm a diagnosis,” UHS said.

“Where appropriate, babies can then begin specialist treatment and ongoing support at the earliest possible stage.”

Dr Gabriella Gazdagh, consultant in clinical genetics at UHS and co-local lead, said: “Although each of the conditions included in the study is rare, collectively they affect many families across the country.

“Most newborns in the study won’t receive a condition-suspected result, but identifying these conditions as early as possible can make a significant difference, giving babies access to specialist care and treatment before symptoms develop.”