Original Articles
A case series of 7 Sri Lankan patients with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy
Authors:
Shree R. Banstola,
University of Colombo, LK
About Shree
Scientist
Nirmala D. Sirisena,
University of Colombo, LK
About Nirmala
Clinical Geneticist
Dulika S. Sumathipala,
University of Colombo, LK
About Dulika
Clinical Geneticist
Vajira H.W. Dissanayake
University of Colombo, LK
About Vajira
Medical Geneticist
Abstract
Introduction: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder with an incidence of 1 in 6000 to 1 in 10,000 live births. It is characterized by degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, leading to progressive symmetrical proximal muscle weakness and atrophy. About 95-98% of patients have a homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 in the telomeric copy of the survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1). Another 2-5% are compound heterozygotes for deletion of exons 7 and 8 of SMN1 and a point mutation in SMN1 gene. The clinical and genetic pattern of SMA has not previously been reported in Sri Lanka. Genetic testing for SMA was introduced in Sri Lanka in 2007 since when 39 patients clinically suspected of SMA were referred for testing. Of these, 7 (18%) had homozygous deletions in exons 7 and 8. We describe the clinical and genetic features of these 7 SMA patients.
How to Cite:
Banstola, S.R., Sirisena, N.D., Sumathipala, D.S. and Dissanayake, V.H.W., 2016. A case series of 7 Sri Lankan patients with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 45(4), pp.247–249. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v45i4.8029
Published on
05 Dec 2016.
Peer Reviewed
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