August is National Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

 

August is recognized as National Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month throughout the country.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of death in babies under the age of two.  It affects families of all ethnicities, often with no prior history of the disease.

Newborns with SMA appear healthy, but over time a lack of muscular development becomes evident.  While intellectual development remains normal, muscle weakness often leads to respiratory failure and general debilitation. There are three types of SMA, each with varying degrees of severity and limited treatment options.

SMA Awareness Month strives to raise awareness of the condition, as well as to raise money to fund further awareness and research efforts.

For more information on SMA, or to find a local SMA Awareness event in your area, visit the Cure SMA website.