Spinal Muscular Atrophy

What Is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?

Spinal muscular atrophies (SMA) are a group of genetic (passed down by parents) diseases that affect motor neurons (nerve cells) in the spinal cord, causing the weakening of voluntary muscles (muscles that you control). This may affect crawling, walking, swallowing, breathing, and other functions. Intellectual development is normal in SMA. In fact, those with SMA are often highly intellectual individuals.

Major Forms of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

There are three major types of SMA that affect infants and children:

• SMA type I (Werdnig-Hoffman disease)
• SMA type II
• SMA type III (Kugelberg-Welander disease)

SMA Type I

SMA type I, also known as Werdnig-Hoffman disease, is the most severe form of SMA. It occurs between birth and six months of age. These patients characteristically have a “bell-shaped” body, with a narrow, sunken-in chest and a large belly. Ten percent of newborns with severe SMA type I will be born with tight joints (congenital contractures). Their hands may stay fisted, and their legs may be fixed in a “frog” position. Affected infants are severely hypotonic (floppy) with extremely weak muscles throughout their bodies. They move very little, lack head control, and may have severe breathing difficulties and the inability to feed. It also affects the tongue, face, and jaw muscles and muscles of the digestive tract are affected. Therefore, constipation, poor nutrition, and drooling are common. Respiratory muscle weakness frequently leads to pneumonia, which can be life threatening. Respiratory muscles may become so weak that patients become unable to breathe on their own, and mechanical ventilation (respiratory life support) may be used. Life expectancy of children with SMA type I is shortened by the many associated complications of the disease. According to current statistics, more than two-thirds of these children die before two years of age.

SMA Type II

SMA type II generally appears late in infancy, usually between seven and eighteen months of age, and progresses (worsens) more slowly than SMA type I. Infants with SMA type II are typically able to suck and swallow, and do not have serious breathing problems early on. These children may be able to sit on their own. They may also develop the ability to stand with the support of another person, braces, or a special standing frame device. Those with this form of SMA will have progressive (worsening) weakness and may become confined to a wheelchair over time. As the muscles between the ribs (intercostal muscles) weaken, patients have difficulty coughing and taking deep breaths, and have increased risk for respiratory infections. Bone strength decreases as patients become unable to stand, and they are at risk for bone fractures (breaks). Also, scoliosis (spinal curvature) nearly always develops as these children grow. Life span may extend beyond the school years.

SMA Type III

Also known as Kugelberg-Welander disease, this is the mildest form of SMA. There may be no signs or symptoms in infancy, and patients typically meet early developmental milestones at the appropriate times. Signs of SMA type III may first appear anywhere from around one year of age to adolescence. However, it is usually diagnosed before three years of age. Weakness develops over time and involves the muscles closest to the trunk of the body. Patients may develop difficulty getting up from sitting on the floor. They may fall more frequently and may not be able to run. Children with SMA type III usually do not have difficulties with feeding or swallowing. These patients are usually able to walk. However, most will eventually need to use a wheelchair, due to worsening weakness. Patients with this type of SMA have a life expectancy well into adulthood.