Author Archives: Margarida Maia

Spinraza Improves Lung Function in SMA Type 2 Child, Report Says

Spinraza (nusinersen), a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) that helps improve motor function, was found to also improve lung function in a 10-year-old girl with advanced SMA type 2, a case report says. The report, “Nusinersen improved respiratory function in spinal muscular atrophy type 2,”…

COVID-19 Infection Turns Severe, Deadly in SMA Type 1 Child

A hospitalized 3-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 died after being infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 and having a widespread inflammatory response — unusual in infected children — known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a case report found. This girl’s case “highlights the importance of close surveillance,…

People in UK Urged to Sign Petition Adding SMA to Newborn Screening

The UK SMA Newborn Screening Alliance is calling on people to take action and sign a petition requesting that spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to be added to the U.K.’s National Health System (NHS) newborn screening program and funded. U.K. citizens and residents can sign the petition, which is collecting…