Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease that causes muscle wasting. It leads to loss of control over muscles needed to do basic movements like walking, talking, and swallowing. There are different stages or types of SMA and the symptoms differ. The article lists out the stages and symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy.

Before understanding the stages and symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy, it is required to know what this disease is. SMA is a genetic disease that affects babies. It can even affect adults. The nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are affected. This causes the muscles to shrink and be damaged.

The result of this disease is that the child finds it difficult to control head movements and do basic things like walking and sitting straight. While there is no cure for this disease, treatment can improve the patient’s health. There are different stages or types of SMA and the symptoms depend on the type.

1. Type 1
Also known as Werdnig-Hoffman disease, it occurs in children before the age of six months. The symptoms of SMA in this type include:

• Weakness in the muscles
• Muscle twitching
• Difficulty in moving the limbs
• Difficulty in eating
• Difficulty in sitting up from a sleeping position
• Change in the curvature of the spine
• Difficulty in breathing, which can affect the life of the child

2. Type 2
Type 2 SMA is seen between the ages of six months and eighteen months. The symptoms seen are:

• Weakness in the muscles that can worsen over time
• The ability to stand and walk is lost in most cases
• Even the ability to sit up may be affected
• Breathing problems can develop, which can affect life expectancy

3. Type 3
Type 3 SMA is known as Kugelberg-Welander disease and affects children who are older than 18 months. Generally, the condition does not affect life expectancy. The symptoms of this stage of SMA include:

• Shortening of the muscles and tendons that lead to problems with the joints, this is known as scoliosis
• There will be difficulty while walking and activities like running or climbing stairs can be affected
• These children can face problems while getting up from a seated position
• Tremor in the fingers is another symptom that can be experienced
• Breathing problems and lung infections can occur

4. Type 4
Type 4 SMA is known as adult SMA. It affects adults over the age of 21 years. This condition does not have any impact on life expectancy. The symptoms of this condition include:

• Mild weakness in the muscles
• Muscle weakness may increase, but it is unlikely to affect the health of the patient
• Twitching is a problem that may be experienced
• Upper arms and legs are affected

The article presented information of the stages and symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy. This information would have helped you understand more about this disease and the symptoms it causes.