Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): general treatments
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): general treatments. Cough assist devices, Airway clearance: for impaired cough. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Respiratory treatment
- Cough assist devices
- Airway clearance: for impaired cough
- Non-invasive ventilation (NIV): with bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
- Routine vaccinations to prevent chest infections
Nutritional management
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Measures to improve swallowing
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Measures to improve intestinal function
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Orthopaedic care
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Prevention of contractures
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Other treatment considerations
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References
- Wang CH, Finkel RS, Bertini ES, et al. Consensus statement for standard of care in spinal muscular atrophy. J Child Neurol 2007; 22:1027-1049.
- Burnett BG, Crawford TO, Sumner CJ. Emerging treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2009; 11:90-101.
- Lorson CL, Rindt H, Shababi M. Spinal muscular atrophy: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Hum Mol Genet 2010; 19:R111-R118.
- Giovannetti AM, Pasanisi MB, Černiauskaitė M, Bussolino C, Leonardi M, Morandi L. Perceived efficacy of salbutamol by persons with spinal muscular atrophy: a mixed methods study. Muscle Nerve 2016; 54:843-849.
- Wijngaarde CA, Huisman A, Wadman RI. Abnormal coagulation parameters are a common non-neuromuscular feature in patients with spinal muscular atrophy. JNNP 2019 (Epub ahead of print).
