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ResearchRSSMonday, May 18, 2026 · 4 days ago

Treatment may help maintain nutrition, prevent stunted growth in SMA kids

WHY IT MATTERS

For families managing SMA, this research provides evidence that approved treatments may help prevent malnutrition and growth problems that commonly affect children with this condition, potentially improving long-term health outcomes beyond muscle strength alone.

A new study from Australia found that children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who take disease-modifying therapies — medicines approved in the last 10 years that slow down the disease — were able to maintain healthy weight and avoid stunted growth. This is important because children with SMA often have trouble eating and gaining weight. The study looked at children with SMA type 1 and type 2, the most severe forms of the disease.

The use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) — all widely approved in the last 10 years — may help children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) maintain nutrition and prevent stunted growth, an Australian study suggests. Children with SMA type 1 and type 2 who received approved DMTs maintained a median weight similar to that of healthy […] The post Treatment may help maintain nutrition, prevent stunted growth in SMA kids appeared first on SMA News Today .

ASK YOUR DOCTOR

If your child has SMA and is not yet on a disease-modifying therapy, ask your neurologist whether starting treatment could help maintain healthy nutrition and growth.

Find a specialist →Learn more ↗
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Autosomal recessive lower motor neuron disease with childhood onsetProximal spinal muscular atrophy type 1Distal hereditary motor neuropathy type 2Distal hereditary motor neuropathyProximal spinal muscular atrophy type 2