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Spinal-Muscular Atrophy presents in three basic degrees;
Infantile SMA with an onset of before birth - 6 months. Some mothers can note a marked decrease in movement in-vitro during the last months of pregnancy. The disease is rapidly progressive with most affected individuals unable to move due to paralysis; they also have trouble swallowing and sucking; due to breathing distress and respiratory infection, life span rarely exceeds the age of 2 years.
Intermediate SMA, which has an onset age of 6 months - 3 years. Infants initially progress normally and then they start to develop moderate to rapid progressive muscle weakness in the arms, as well as in the legs and upper and lower torso. Patients generally survive until early childhood and some live longer.
Juvenile SMA, which has an onset age of between 1-15 years and presents as a moderately progressive weakness in legs and hips and possible respiratory difficulties. Patients can live to lead a normal life once diagnosis has taken place
