Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson’s petition to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to the UK’s newborn screening program has surpassed 100,000 signatures, triggering a parliamentary debate, according to reports Friday.
Nelson launched the petition on Thursday following her public revelation in January that her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, born prematurely in May 2025, have been diagnosed with SMA type 1. The rapid accumulation of signatures demonstrates significant public support for the measure, which would require all newborns to be tested for the rare genetic condition.
“You have no idea how much Which means to me and the SMA community,” Nelson said in a video posted to Instagram Friday, visibly emotional upon learning the petition had reached the threshold for debate. “actually put into words how grateful I am that this moment has just happened right here! And it is all thanks to you guys.”
The petition calls for the inclusion of SMA in the “heel prick test,” a standard post-birth screening offered to all babies at five days old to detect serious health conditions. Currently, the test does not include SMA, meaning many infants are not diagnosed until symptoms appear, often leading to irreversible muscle damage.
Nelson has been vocal about the potential impact of early detection, stating that a timely diagnosis could have significantly altered the course of her daughters’ condition. She shared her experiences on ITV’s This Morning, explaining she felt a “duty of care” to raise awareness and potentially save other children from a similar fate. She also met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting last month to discuss the issue.
The Mirror reported modelling suggesting that three children die each year in the UK while awaiting the rollout of a blood test for SMA. The newspaper has been campaigning alongside Nelson for newborn screening.
According to the NHS, SMA causes muscle weakness, movement problems, difficulties with breathing and swallowing, muscle tremors, and bone and joint problems. Nelson revealed in January that her daughters’ diagnosis meant they are unlikely to ever walk or regain neck strength.
The petition’s success comes as Nelson’s pregnancy and early motherhood have been documented in the Amazon Prime series, Life After Little Mix. Nelson has said revisiting the footage has allowed her to recognize early signs of SMA in her daughters that she previously missed.
With the 100,000-signature threshold met, the UK Parliament is now obligated to schedule a debate on the petition. A date for the debate has not yet been announced.
