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About SMA:
What is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) refers to a group of diseases which affect the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain stem. These critically important cells are responsible for supplying electrical and chemical messages to muscle cells. Without the proper input from the motor neurons, muscle cells can not function properly. The muscle cells will, therefore, become much smaller (atrophy) and will produce symptoms of muscle weakness. 
 
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Facts:
o One in every 6,000 babies is born with SMA. Of children diagnosed before age two, 50% will die before their second birthday.
o Spinal Muscular Atrophy kills more babies than any other genetic disease.
o SMA can strike anyone of any age, race or gender.
o One in every 40 people carries the gene that causes SMA. The child of two carriers has a one in four chance of developing SMA.