Skip to content

The information below is for you if your child has been recently diagnosed with SMARD1.

Some families have shared their personal experiences of caring for their children who have SMARD1, which you can read here.

SMARD1 is an inherited nervous system condition that causes muscle weakness and respiratory failure, usually beginning between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months. SMARD1 is an extremely rare disease; the number of children affected is very small. Currently, it is not possible to collect accurate numbers of those affected but this may change as knowledge of the condition increases.

In the UK, SMARD1 is sometimes also called:

  • Distal Spinal Muscular Atrophy 1 (DSMA1)
    or
  • Distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy Type VI (dHMN6 or HMN6)

Usually, the first and most noticeable symptom of SMARD1 is breathing difficulties (respiratory distress). This is caused by the diaphragm – the large, thin sheet of muscle separating the chest from the stomach that is essential for normal breathing – becoming paralysed. Along with this, and usually progressing rapidly after breathing difficulties start, there are signs of weakness in the muscles that are furthest from the centre of the body (distal muscles) – such as in the hands and feet. This weakness then spreads to all muscles, but within 2 years the muscle weakness usually stabilises. This is sometimes described as a ‘disease plateau’.

A child’s walking, crawling, arm and hand movement, head and neck movement and swallowing may all be affected, but the impact on each child varies. Some children may still have some ability to move their muscles while others completely lose this ability. Other early symptoms of SMARD1 can include a weak cry and misshapen feet. For some children, fatty finger pads are another symptom.

The impact of SMARD1 varies greatly between individuals and this impact may change over time.

SMARD1 may also affect nerves for sensation (called sensory neurons) and control of body functions (the autonomic nervous system). This can lead to symptoms such as excessive sweating, an irregular heart rate or rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), constipation, bladder incontinence and a reduced response to pain.

Sadly, life expectancy for babies who have SMARD1 is severely reduced. It is difficult though to predict life expectancy for any individual child because the progression of SMARD1 varies between children, as does the use of appropriate medical interventions to support breathing.

Usually, nerve cells called lower motor neurons carry electrical signals from the brain to the muscles and make it possible to move them. In SMARD1, due to the changes in genetic material, the lower motor neurons degenerate which affects the link between the brain, the spinal cord and muscles. This means these muscles can no longer be stimulated, which causes them to waste or atrophy.

The affected gene in SMARD1 is:

  • the IGHMBP2 gene (immunoglobulin mu-binding protein 2) found on chromosome 11q13.3¹‾²

More than 60 different mutations in the IGHMBP2 gene have been found to cause SMARD1. Most of these affect either the amount or efficiency (functionality) of the IGHMBP2 protein produced by the IGHMBP2 gene.

Although the exact mechanism is unknown, if the IGHMBP2 protein is not working properly, or there isn’t enough of it, this leads to the degeneration of the lower motor neurons.

It is thought that the amount of ‘functional’ protein the mutated IGHMBP2 gene produces may be linked to the severity of an individual’s SMARD1. The less functional IGHMBP2 protein a child has, the earlier they are likely to develop symptoms. However, many differences have been seen even between individuals who have identical changes in the IGHMBP2 gene, which suggests that other factors may also have an effect.

SMARD1 is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. For further information about the genetics of the condition and how it is inherited, please see our information sheet: The Inheritance Patterns of Some Rarer Forms of SMA.

As SMARD1 is a very rare condition, it sometimes does not get recognised and it can take a very long time to get an accurate diagnosis – perhaps several months. Sometimes it is not possible to confirm the diagnosis.

It is usually diagnosed following your child being in hospital with severe breathing difficulties. If doctors think this could be caused by SMARD1, a blood sample is taken for genetic testing to help confirm the diagnosis. They may ask for further tests, such as an electromyogram (EMG) or muscle biopsy if they are still unsure.

As one parent said:

"Looking for the genetic confirmation for SMARD1 can be a bit like looking for a spelling mistake in a novel".

When your child’s diagnosis is confirmed, they may already be under the care of specialists in neuromuscular conditions and respiratory care. If not, you would expect to have a referral to these specialists so that you can meet to discuss next steps. Though families are prepared to travel, infants with SMARD1 may not cope well with a long journey so where this discussion takes place will very much depend on how well your child is and where the nearest specialist centre is.

Although there is currently no treatment or cure for SMARD1, there are options to manage your child’s care so that they have the best possible quality of life and are as comfortable as possible. There is a wide range of severity in SMARD1 so discussions will focus on the options most beneficial for your child.

SMA UK provides free multisensory toy packs for babies in the UK diagnosed with SMARD1. 

At first these are likely to be of greatest concern as once a child with SMARD1 starts to show symptoms of severe breathing difficulties, they will need a lot of help to survive. This can involve the need for surgery to create an opening in their windpipe so that they can breathe through a tube rather than their mouth (a tracheostomy). This is a very big step and any family facing this option will have a full and careful discussion with their specialists as to whether this is best for their child.

These are all very difficult discussions and you should have time and support to consider and talk through the options thoroughly with your child’s medical team.

Though it is a difficult discussion to have, it is important that you have the earliest possible opportunity to discuss in-depth with your medical team the range of future care options that may be available so that they can record the treatment you do or do not wish your child to have if their health deteriorates or in an emergency.

This plan can be reviewed and you can change your mind at any time.

As your child’s condition is complex and potentially life-threatening and affects you and all your family, you will need a lot of support from a number of different health professionals and the palliative care services. Palliative care includes the management of symptoms, information and practical support, and, if wanted, the provision of short breaks from caring for your child at home. The overall aim is to achieve the best quality of life for your child and to support you, whichever medical options are decided on.

All these professionals will work as a team aiming to actively support your child and family’s physical, emotional and practical needs.

If it is possible for you to take your child home, some of the professionals may be based in your local hospital or children’s hospice. As well as your child’s neuromuscular and respiratory specialists, your team may include specialists in:

  • physiotherapy
  • orthopaedics
  • occupational therapy
  • speech and language therapy
  • dietetics
  • community nursing
You can find out more about how these people can help in SMA UK’s leaflet, Who’s Who of Professionals.

If you are able to go home, you will need a great deal of practical support. A detailed ‘care package’ will be set up before your child is discharged from hospital. This often takes a long time to organise and is likely cover the following topics:

  • Housing
  • Equipment and supplies
  • Day and night-time carers / who will provide this service / hours and rotas
  • Short breaks / respite care
  • Procedures to cover emergencies
  • Getting out and about – including play, leisure and education
  • Sources of financial help
  • Sources of support – including those in your local area

You should also receive information and advice about other financial, practical and emotional support available in your local area.

You can find further information, practical ideas and links to resources on the Living With SMA section of our website. Although not everything is relevant for SMARD1 (as primarily written for those with 5q SMA) many sections may still be helpful (discuss with your medical team if you are not sure).

With your permission, your child’s emergency advance care plan can be shared with all the professionals supporting your child, including ambulance services, so that everyone is aware of your wishes. You should have your own copy so that you can give it to hospital services if you are away from your home area.

It is important that you know how to access medical care in case your child has a respiratory emergency. Open access to your local children’s ward can be arranged with your medical team so that, whenever needed, you can take your child straight to hospital.

Your local children’s hospice is there to support families, both practically and emotionally. They provide support and respite at any stage from diagnosis onwards. As well as offering nursing care, they provide a range of services that may include physiotherapy, complementary therapies, play and music therapy.

They can support you as you review and make decisions about your baby’s ongoing and future care should they become very unwell. They can also offer invaluable practical and emotional support and specialist care if, sadly, you are faced with the end of your child’s life. This may be within the hospice and in some areas in your own home.

Many families find hospices to be welcoming and positive environments where they can spend time together doing activities as a family.

The impact of a diagnosis of SMARD1 on families is enormous. It often comes as a shock and you may experience feelings of disbelief, confusion, anger and sadness. You may find it difficult to take everything or anything in. The 24 hour-a-day responsibility of caring for a child with complex medical needs that follows can be physically, emotionally and psychologically exhausting.

Everyone is different, but it is important that you and your family have access to emotional support and plenty of time to talk and ask questions. This can be with members of your child’s medical team, your local General Practitioner (GP), health visitor, social worker, psychologist or a counsellor, as well as family and friends, a spiritual leader, support groups, or online communities.

Even though you will be focused on your child, try and look after yourself too. Things like remembering to keep up to date with your own health checks and getting the ‘flu’ jab are important. Perhaps ask friends and family to help out with practical jobs such as shopping and cleaning which can help save you some time and energy.

You may also find it helpful to use local short break services. These may be possible at your home or at a children’s hospice. Ask your GP, community nurse, health visitor or social worker for more information.

Families living in the UK may be eligible for a number of financial benefits to help towards the cost of providing the extra care your child needs. This does depend on your individual circumstances. For further information, see this Living With SMA area of our website.

Your health visitor, community nurse, neuromuscular care advisor, family support worker, social worker or outreach worker may be able to help with applications for financial benefits. There are also a number of charities that may assist you with the cost of general household goods, specialist equipment and holidays / days out.

Please contact SMA UK’s Support & Outreach Team for more information.

A genetic counsellor is a healthcare professional who has expert training in genetics. They will explain how SMARD1 is inherited and what the chances are of other family members also being affected. Genetic counselling also provides the opportunity to discuss options and choices for any future pregnancies.

Following your child’s diagnosis, you should be offered genetic counselling. A referral to genetic services is usually made through your General Practitioner (GP), paediatrician or neurologist.

Genetic counsellors can also be contacted at a later date to discuss any further questions you may have.

Though there is very limited research into SMARD1, what we do find out we report on this page.

Patient Registries are databases of genetic and clinical information about people with a particular condition. They provide points of contact for when new treatments develop that need to be tested in clinical trials. They also help specialists gain more knowledge about the condition and the number of people affected which helps to develop and improve worldwide standards of care for people with the condition.

Currently in the UK there isn’t a registry specifically for SMARD1. The UK SMA Patient Registry is mainly for people affected by SMA due to mutation in the SMN1 gene (known as 5q SMA), however the registry does accept registrations from people affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress 1 (SMARD1) with mutation in the IGHMBP2 gene.

To find out more, visit the UK SMA Patient Registry website.

SMA UK

We provide a free Support & Outreach Service for families by email, phone, text, Zoom and occasional home visiting. Our experienced team offer personalised support and information and are available to answer questions and talk things through. Though we do not give medical advice, we can discuss with you the support you and your family can access.

Multisensory toy packs are available free of charge for infants in the UK who are under 12 months of age and diagnosed with SMARD1.

The Living With SMA area of our website builds on knowledge and advice from the SMA Community and SMA UK’s Support Services team, and covers a whole host of topics including equipment, homes, education, transport, leisure, holidays, financial, emotional and social support. In the Health & Wellbeing section of this website, we refer to the 2017 Standards of Care (SoC) for SMA which covers 5q SMA. If your child has been diagnosed with SMARD1, the guidance in the SoC may not be relevant for you and it is important to discuss your child’s individual care and management with your medical team.

Other sections of the Living With SMA website will be relevant for you and your child and, we hope, may provide some useful information and ideas for day-to-day living. If you are at all unsure if something’s relevant for you, we suggest you discuss it with a healthcare or other professional such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist (OT), education or social worker who is supporting you and your child.


Children’s hospices

Located throughout the UK, these also offer a wide range of services and support to eligible children and families; some also offer short breaks. Details of hospice services are available from Together for Short Lives and more information is available on their website.


Together for Short Lives

Provide information and support to families who have a child with a life-limiting condition.


Contact

Provide information and support to families who have a child with a disability.

1. Pitt et al. (2003) Severe infantile neuropathy with diaphragmatic weakness and its relationship to SMARD1. Brain 126: 2682-2692.

2. https://www.omim.org/entry/604320 (last accessed 16th August 2022)


General References

Eckart. M, Guenther. U, Idkowiak. J, Varon. R, Grolle. B, Boffi. P, Van Maldergem. L, Hubner. C, Schuelke.M, von Au. K (2012) The natural course of infantile spinal Muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD 1) Pediatrics 2012; 129;e148

van der Pol. WL et al 190th ENMC international workshop: Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress/distal spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (2103) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2013.04.004 (accessed 20.08.18)

Image shows the Patient Information Forum logo.Version 2
Author: SMA UK Information Production Team
Last updated: August 2022
Next full review due: September 2024


Links last checked: September 2023

The information provided in this guide, on our website, and through links to other websites, is designed to complement not be a substitute for clinical and professional care and advice.

For more detail about how we produce our information, please see these pages.

If you have any feedback about this information, please do let us know at: information@smauk.org.uk