Spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) refers to a condition predominantly found in babies and children that weakens their muscles and causes difficulty in movement. The loss of specialized nerve cells known as motor neurons causes the condition, as they are responsible for controlling muscle movement.

One of the biggest questions among parents is the medical ways and therapies for managing spinal muscle atrophy. Let’s find out!

• Spinraza
  Biogen’s Spinraza is an effective therapy for SMA. SMA results as patients are unable to produce survival motor neurons in enough quantity, which is itself a result of a mutation in the SMN1 gene. Spinraza makes SMN2 more efficient in producing SMN protein. Thus, it effectively helps produce more SMN protein, which can significantly ensure the delay of motor neuron death, thereby slowing down the disease’s progression.
• Zolgensma
  Zolgensma is a gene therapy developed by AveXis, which uses a genetically engineered virus to deliver to target motor neurons a healthy copy of the SMN1 gene. This helps in increasing the level of SMN proteins that are functional. The drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat SMA in all patients aged above of 2.
• Nusinersen
  This treatment, which can be used in both kids and adults, makes adjustments in the SMN2 gene and helps it produce more protein. The drug is injected into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. The process can take anything over two hours, and this has to be done a few times. This has to be followed up with another dose in four months. The treatment has been seen to be beneficial in 40% of people to slow the disease.
• Movement
  Apart from the above treatments, there are some other therapies that can help a child with SMA. Let us understand how to manage spinal muscle atrophy with physical and occupational therapy. Exercise keeps the muscle strong and joints flexible. Some of the equipment that may be suggested by therapists include leg braces, electric wheelchair, and walker. Some tools can also be used for controlling computers and phones, and the kid can get support in writing and drawing.
• Breathing aids
  Kids may find it difficult to breathe because the muscles between ribs are weakened due to SMA. These muscles help the chest expand and allow air to enter the lungs. To get some support, patients may even require ventilation if they are not getting enough oxygen. The aids for this can be different based on the severity of the situation. If the condition is advanced, more invasive techniques may be used. In the case of invasive ventilation, a tube is inserted into the trachea, or one can also be inserted through a minor incision in the neck.