Pregnancy and delivery in women with spinal muscular atrophy

Abstract

Objectives: To expand the limited available knowledge about pregnancy and delivery in women with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) using a cohort of genetically proven SMA patients from USA.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. We mailed questionnaires to 58 women with confirmed SMA.

Results: Thirty-two women responded, reporting 35 pregnancies, including 19 women with at least one pregnancy. In this cohort, preterm labor and delivery by cesarean section were more common in mothers with SMA particularly SMA type 2. Seventy-four percent of mothers reported increased weakness during pregnancy that persisted after delivery in 42%. SMA mothers generally had a positive experience and good outcomes and elected to have more than one pregnancy.

Conclusion: This information regarding pregnancy in women with genetically confirmed 5q SMA will prove useful in guiding future research and in providing counseling to women with SMA.

Keywords: Spinal muscular atrophy; delivery complications; pregnancy course and outcome.