Types And Treatments For Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Type 2

Spinal muscular atrophy type 2 also shows symptoms in infancy. However, rather than the symptoms being present in the first six months of life, babies with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 tend to develop their symptoms anywhere from six to twelve months old. A child with this type of spinal muscular atrophy will typically be able to sit up without needing support. With that said, they will not be able to walk independently or stand up by themselves. The muscles in the legs are too weak to support them.

Over time, the nerve cells will continue to degenerate, which leads to further symptoms. Babies will eventually develop problems with breathing and eating. A child with this form of spinal muscular atrophy may be able to hit certain motor skill milestones. But most children will not be able to reach any milestones further than sitting up independently. As the disease progresses, many patients lose their ability to sit up, usually sometime during adolescence. Spinal muscular atrophy type 2 patients might also have scoliosis, hip dysplasia, other skeleton abnormalities, and tremors in their fingers.

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