Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease where there is progressive loss of motor nerve cells in the brainstem and spinal cord that control essential muscle activity such as wa lking,sitting,breathing and even swallowing.There is an estimated 3 to 4 lakhs affected children in India,although this may be an under prediction as it is from an extrapolation of western data.
Cure SMA foundation of India & Bangalore Baptist hospital (BBH) along with the
Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) have been collaborating in improving standards of care (SOC) and thus the quality of life of the affected children and families.
August is SMA awareness month worldwide.This conference aims to disseminate protocols and socs for SMA among the medical fraternity & SMA families.
The world of SMA and genetic diseases is exploding with a wide array of possible newer therapies and options and we aim this workshop as a preparatory tool towards this.