Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, severe autosomal-recessive disorder that is characterized by the degeneration of alpha motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, causing progressive weakness and muscle wasting. SMA affects approximately 1 in 6000 to 1 in 10,000 individuals; 1 in 50 people is a genetic carrier for the disease. Life expectancy is often dramatically reduced in individuals with the disease.
Although there is no definitive cure for SMA, medications and surgical and non-surgical interventions are available to slow disease progression and ease symptoms.
Are you familiar with the current medical and surgical treatment recommendations for SMA? Check your knowledge with this quick quiz.
Medscape © 2021 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Stephen L. Nelson. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Manage Spinal Muscular Atrophy? - Medscape - Jan 25, 2021.
Comments