Newborn babies will now be screened for 25 severe and rare congenital diseases, the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) announced

From January 15, blood samples taken via a heel prick will be tested for, among others, a rare metabolic disease known as galactosemia, where the body is unable to break down galactose (one of the two sugars that make up lactose). In Denmark, blood samples are taken from newborn babies between 48 and 72 hours after birth. For the full list of diseases, visit here.