Starting Treatment in Toddlers with SMA: Too Early? Too Late?

Activity Overview

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating diagnosis that is often delivered at a very tender, young age. Not too long ago, providers had nothing to treat patients with SMA beyond supportive therapies. However, now there are 3 different disease-modifying therapies to consider. We have polled clinicians across the country to find out what challenges they are met with when managing SMA in their patients. In this activity, our faculty discuss their approach to treatment for 2 of these challenging cases, with a focus on when to initiate therapy.

0.25 CE Credit(s)

Expires: March 10, 2023

Target Audience

This activity is intended for neurologists, pediatric neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, orthopedists, nurses (RN/NP/APN), PAs, and other clinicians involved in the care of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this educational activity, participants should be better able to:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Select individualized disease-modifying therapy for patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
Integrate the unique roles of the interprofessional care team in concert with consensus guidelines and best practice recommendations for management of SMA

Activity Faculty

Diana P. Castro, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatrics and Neurology
University of Texas Southwestern
Children’s Health
Dallas, TX

Susan Apkon, MD

Fischahs Chair, Pediatric Rehabilitation
Chief, Department of Rehabilitation
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, CO