Importance of Comprehensive Specialist in Clinical Care for SMA Patients

Effective management of a child with SMA requires coordination of several medical specialists. Experts in Neurology, Genetics, Pulmonary Medicine, Gastroenterology, Orthopedics, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Rehabilitation Medicine and Nursing work together to address each child’s individual health status and SMA-related issues. Specialized neuromuscular programs at a children’s hospital are designed to provide these services and are available at the New York, Philadelphia and Boston centers of the PNCR SMA network. Providing optimal standards of care for children with SMA types 1, 2 and 3 is one of the goals of the PNCR network. Research in these areas is currently underway at the Philadelphia site.