The Identification and Evaluation of Suspected Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Children and Adolescents During a Telehealth Appointment

Families with patients with SMA explain the signs and symptoms shown by their children that prompted a doctor’s visit.

Dr Craig Zaidman details the symptoms a physician looks for in a pediatric patient when making an SMA diagnosis.

Families describe their diagnostic journeys with SMA and when they were referred to SMA specialists.

Craig Zaidman, MD, discusses how critically important newborn SMA screening is and early diagnosis and treatment of SMA.

Two pediatric neurologists describe their experiences with telehealth appointments for SMA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A discussion of the benefits of using telehealth for SMA management for clinicians and families.

An overview of the signs and symptoms that physicians look for in telehealth exams when SMA is suspected.

Experts explain the next steps for families and physicians after SMA is suspected in a child.

Crystal Proud, MD, and Craig Zaidman, MD, discuss the necessity and urgency of genetic testing for SMA in children and adolescents.

Patients describe how their lives have changed since their SMA diagnosis, and a neurologist provides advice for community physicians.

Families with patients with SMA share advice for community neurologists on helping new patients through the diagnostic process.

Crystal Proud, MD, demonstrates a typical neurological telehealth exam for pediatric SMA with one of her patients.