[en] The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in reorganization of healthcare settings affecting the delivery of clinical care to patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). There is a concern that patients with SMA may be at increased risk of manifesting severe symptoms of COVID-19. Currently approved therapies for SMA improve survival and motor function, however, their delivery requires an increased exposure to the health system and a dedicated healthcare team. In this paper, we discuss consensus recommendations pertaining to care of SMA patients during the pandemic. We highlight that SMA treatments should not be perceived as elective. Decisions regarding the delay of treatments should be made with consideration of the potential risks of COVID-19 exposure and the risk of that delay. We emphasize the importance of collaborative treatment decisions between the patient, family, and health care provider, considering any geographic or institution-specific policies and precautions for COVID-19. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Disciplines :
Neurology Pediatrics
Author, co-author :
Veerapandiyan, A.; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, United States
Connolly, A. M.; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
Finkel, R. S.; Experimental Neurotherapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, TN, Memphis, United States
Arya, K.; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, United States
Mathews, K. D.; Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, IA, Iowa City, United States
Smith, E. C.; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, United States
Castro, D.; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX, Dallas, United States
Butterfield, R. J.; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, UT, Salt Lake City, United States
Parsons, J. A.; Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO, Aurora, United States
Servais, Laurent ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Département des sciences cliniques ; MDUK Neuromuscular Center, Department Of Pediatrics, University of Oxford, UK
Kuntz, N.; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
Rao, V. K.; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
Brandsema, J. F.; Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
Mercuri, E.; Pediatric Neurology, Catholic University
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