logo
Newborn being treated for spinal muscular atrophy before symptoms set in

Newborn being treated for spinal muscular atrophy before symptoms set in

The Hindu19-06-2025
In perhaps a first in the country, a newborn found carrying the SMN1 gene mutation for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) through prenatal genetic screening is being administered presymptomatic treatment for SMA at the SAT Hospital here, thus minimising the infant's potential for future neuron damage.
The infant, who is hardly three weeks old, is being administered presymptomatic treatment using Risdiplam, one of the rare disease-modifying drugs currently available for SMA, so that the infant will get the benefit of early initiation of treatment. This is a rare and very crucial step forward for the State in the management of rare diseases.
SMA refers to a group of hereditary diseases that affect motor neurons, which are the specialised nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control movement of the body as well as skeletal muscle activity. The disease is currently not curable, even though several treatments have been developed for SMA that preserve motor neurons and improve muscle function to extend lives.
In SMA, treatment early in life tends to provide more benefits. However, early diagnosis is fraught with many challenges. Most cases of SMA occur when the affected gene is passed down from the individual's parents. In this case, the mother is an SMA patient and through pre-natal diagnostic tests, it had been detected that the foetus was carrying the gene mutation associated with SMA. Though termination of pregnancy was an option, the woman chose to have the baby.
Used in the West
'We do not normally get to diagnose SMA early before symptoms set in. Here, because of prenatal screening, we got a chance for early intervention and we thought we will try presymptomatic treatment, a protocol that is now being used in the West with very positive results,' V.H. Shanker, who heads the Genetics Centre at SAT Hospital said.
The therapeutic time-window to treat SMA is narrow and early treatment, before the symptoms set in, improves motor function and outcomes. Early initiation of treatment with Risdiplam minimises motor neuron damage and maximises the potential for motor development, according to medical literature.
Expensive drug
'SMA has no cure and presymptomatic treatment offers no guarantee that the child will not later develop the disease. However, the timing of the treatment is crucial and we hope that the infant will get the benefit of early treatment and that neuron damage can be minimised or prevented,' Dr. Shanker said.
Health Minister Veena George said this was a rare opportunity for the State to potentially save at least one child from the debilitating disease. The State government is already giving Risdiplam, which is prohibitively expensive, to some 100 SMA patients for free, under its KARE (Kerala Against Rare Diseases), the State's initiative to devise a comprehensive care strategy to prevent and manage rare diseases.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Genetic screening emerging as key to better IVF success rates, say Kolkata experts
Genetic screening emerging as key to better IVF success rates, say Kolkata experts

The Hindu

time4 days ago

  • The Hindu

Genetic screening emerging as key to better IVF success rates, say Kolkata experts

As World IVF Day (July 25) approaches, fertility experts in Kolkata say there is an urgent need to integrate genetic screening into mainstream fertility care to improve chances of healthy babies and avoid failed pregnancies. Emili Banerjee, Genetic Counsellor at Genome – The Fertility Centre in Kolkata said that the procedure of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to select embryos without abnormalities for implantation can have better assurance of a successful pregnancy and has better chances of a healthy baby. She emphasied on how genetic testing can be beneficial 'not only for those who are seeking IVF due to infertility, but also patients who have had recurrent pregnancy failures.' Genome held a session on on July 23, on how to 'Decode Infertility with Genetics' where doctors and clinicians spoke at length about how advanced genetic screening is transforming the success rates of IVF and identifying the underlying causes of unexplained infertility. There was an emphasis on how genetic screening has been of exceptional service to patients who had no hope of bearing a healthy child due to being carriers of serious inherited conditions. Some of them have genetic issues in their extended families which lead to failed pregnancies, but couples remain unaware of it for years. 'It is not obligatory for couples with genetic problems to seek sperm or egg donation, to opt for adoption or to refrain from marriage or childbearing entirely,' Genome Director of Clinical Service, Dr. Sanjay Das Gupta said, 'PGT helps to determine if the baby would be born with inherited disorders such as Thalassemia or Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) before the pregnancy even occurs.' As a medical expert in the field of IVF, Dr Das Gupta suggested that when a couple is not able to conceive through natural conjugal relationship, but both the partners are healthy and have no apparent issues with their reproductive systems, there can be underlying genetic issues that can lead to unsuccessful pregnancies. That is why in such cases, genetic screening can help bring about positive change. An integrated, team-based strategy can optimize the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology and guide patients to make informed reproductive decisions. The session conveyed how genetic screening is not rare or optional but rather a keystone in modern fertility care.

Cyberabad Commissioner backs ‘Run for SMA 2025' drive
Cyberabad Commissioner backs ‘Run for SMA 2025' drive

Hans India

time21-07-2025

  • Hans India

Cyberabad Commissioner backs ‘Run for SMA 2025' drive

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty, alongside Joint Commissioner Traffic Dr Gajarao Bhupal, has unveiled the official poster for the 'Run for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)' and extended his support to this vital public health awareness initiative. Avinash Mohanty emphasised that while SMA treatment is important, prevention through awareness and early screening is even more critical. Commending the SCSC Health Forum for organising the 'Run for SMA', he noted that such initiatives are vital, especially given the high cost of treatment. He stated that collective efforts like these reflect a commitment to positive change. Srilakshmi Nalam, Co-founder and Trustee of Cure SMA India, announced that the Cure SMA Foundation of India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), is organising the third edition of Run for SMA – 2025 on Sunday, 10 August at Gachibowli Stadium. Srilakshmi stressed the necessity for collaboration among medical professionals, research bodies, corporations, and the government to create a sustainable ecosystem for rare disease families in India. While treatment options have recently become available in India, their extremely high cost renders them inaccessible to most. Hence, she added, awareness and prevention, particularly through genetic carrier screening, are crucial to reducing the disease burden in future generations. 'Run for SMA' forms part of the global SMA Awareness Month, observed in August. The run includes timed and non-timed running categories – 21K, 10K, 5K, and a 5K non-timed event – with attractive cash prizes for winners in various categories. Dr Radha Rama Devi, Senior Geneticist and Paediatrician at Rainbow Children's Hospital, Dr Giriraj Chandak, former Chief Scientist at CSIR–CCMB, Naved Alam Khan, CEO, Society for Cyberabad Security Council, and Cure SMA India trustees Srilakshmi and Archana, along with other representatives, were present at the event.

Third edition of ‘Run for SMA' to be held on August 10 at Gachibowli Stadium
Third edition of ‘Run for SMA' to be held on August 10 at Gachibowli Stadium

The Hindu

time20-07-2025

  • The Hindu

Third edition of ‘Run for SMA' to be held on August 10 at Gachibowli Stadium

The third edition of Run for SMA will be organised by the Cure SMA Foundation of India at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on August 10. The event is part of the global Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month observed in August. A press conference announcing the event was held at the Cyberabad Commissioner's office, with Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty unveiling the poster and extending his support to the awareness initiative. He said that while SMA treatment is important, prevention through awareness and early screening is even more critical. He appreciated the SCSC Health Forum for organising the event and noted that such efforts are essential, especially since treatment is expensive. Srilakshmi Nalam, Co-founder and Trustee of Cure SMA India, said there is a need for collaboration between doctors, research bodies, companies and the government to build a support system for families.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store