A Sydney newborn has become the first in the world outside of North America to receive a lifesaving gene-replacement treatment under a new screening pilot.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the screening program diagnosed the baby girl with spinal muscular atrophy, the leading genetic cause of infant death in Australia.
"This is a tragic condition - in some cases, babies are born so weak they only survive a few weeks," Mr Hazzard said in a statement on Monday.
NSW-born babies will be offered screenings over two years as part of the pilot, with early detection giving those diagnosed a stronger chance of surviving.
The program will screen for more than 25 medical conditions including cystic fibrosis.
