Werdnig-Hoffman disease 3293189 216811778 2008-06-03T09:57:00Z SmackBot 433328 Date the maintenance tags or general fixes {{Unreferenced|date=March 2008}} {{DiseaseDisorder infobox | Name = Werdnig-Hoffman disease | ICD10 = {{ICD10|G|12|0|g|10}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|335.0}} | ICDO = | Image = | Caption = | OMIM = 253300 | MedlinePlus = 000996 | eMedicineSubj = orthoped | eMedicineTopic = 304 | DiseasesDB = | MeshID = D014897 | }} '''Werdnig-Hoffman disease''' (also known as "Severe infantile spinal muscular atrophy", or "spinal muscular atrophy type I") is an [[autosomal recessive]] [[neuromuscular disease]]. It is the most severe form of [[spinal muscular atrophy]], which is one of a number of neuromuscular diseases classified as a type of [[muscular dystrophy]]. Werdnig-Hoffman affects the lower motor neurons only. ==Causes== It has been linked to an abnormal [[survival motor neuron]] (SMN) gene. ==Eponym== It is named for [[Johann Hoffmann]] and [[Guido Werdnig]].<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|1825}}</ref><ref>J. Hoffmann. Weitere Beiträge zur Lehre von der progressiven neurotischen Muskeldystrophie. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde, Berlin, 1891, 1: 95-120.</ref><ref>G. Werdnig. Zwei frühinfantile hereditäre Fälle von progressiver Muskelatrophie unter dem Bilde der Dystrophie, aber auf neurotischer Grundlage. Archiv für Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten, Berlin, 1891, 22: 437-481</ref> ==Symptoms== It is evident before birth or within the first few months of life. There may be a reduction in fetal movement in the final months of pregnancy. Affected children never sit or stand unassisted and will require respiratory support to survive before the age of 2. Other symptoms include: * [[Fasciculations]] (quivering) of the tongue * Marked [[Hypotonia]] in legs, arms, rib, chest & bulbar muscles (Patient lies in a frog-leg position, i.e. hips abducted & knees flexed) * Flaccid quadriplegia * [[Difficulty breathing]] * [[Poor feeding]] * [[Weak cry]] * [[Areflexive extremities]] == Diagnosis == *[[Electromyogram]] (EMG) will show [[fibrillation]] & muscle denervation{{Fact|date=June 2008}} *Serum [[creatine kinase]] may be normal or increased{{Fact|date=June 2008}} == Genetics == [[Image:autorecessive.jpg|thumb|right|Werdnig-Hoffman disease has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.]] Werdnig-Hoffman disease is inherited in an [[autosomal recessive]] pattern, which means the defective gene is located on an [[autosome]], and two copies of the gene - one from each parent - are required to inherit the disorder. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive disorder both carry one copy of the defective gene, but do not have the disorder. == Treatment == Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and includes treating pneumonia, curvature of the spine and respiratory infections, if present. Also, physical therapy, orthotic supports, and rehabilitation are useful. For individuals who survive early childhood, assistive technology can be vital to providing access to work and entertainment. Genetic counseling is imperative. [[Tracheostomy]] is often (but not always) a part of the treatment plan.<ref name="pmid10767247">{{cite journal |author=Bach JR, Niranjan V, Weaver B |title=Spinal muscular atrophy type 1: A noninvasive respiratory management approach |journal=Chest |volume=117 |issue=4 |pages=1100–5 |year=2000 |month=April |pmid=10767247 |doi= |url=http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10767247}}</ref> == Prognosis == Children with Werdnig-Hoffmann disease / SMA Type 1 face a difficult battle. The patient's condition tends to deteriorate over time, depending on the severity of the symptoms. The child is constantly at risk of respiratory infection and pneumonia. Poor chewing and swallowing may lead to malnutrition; supplemental tube feedings may be required through the nose or directly into the stomach. Recurrent respiratory problems (the primary cause of morbidity in this condition)<ref name="pmid17641258">{{cite journal |author=Yuan N, Wang CH, Trela A, Albanese CT |title=Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication during gastrostomy tube placement and noninvasive ventilation may improve survival in type I and severe type II spinal muscular atrophy |journal=J. Child Neurol. |volume=22 |issue=6 |pages=727–31 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17641258 |doi=10.1177/0883073807304009 |url=http://jcn.sagepub.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=17641258}}</ref> mean that mechanical support for breathing—usually initially in the form of [[BiPAP]] and later often tracheostomy and ventilation—are necessary for the baby to have any chance of long-term survival. Affected children never sit or stand and usually die before the age of 2 without breathing support. However, some individuals have survived to become adults,<ref name="pmid17449979">{{cite journal |author=Bach JR |title=Medical considerations of long-term survival of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease |journal=Am J Phys Med Rehabil |volume=86 |issue=5 |pages=349–55 |year=2007 |month=May |pmid=17449979 |doi=10.1097/PHM.0b013e31804b1d66 |url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00002060-200705000-00004}}</ref> in which case sexual function is unimpaired.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} ==See also== * [[Motor neuron disease]] * [[Spinal muscular atrophy]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://www.fightsma.org Fight SMA / Andrew's Buddies] * [http://www.fsma.org Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy] * {{NINDS|SMA}} * [http://www.smasupport.org SMA Support] {{Diseases of the nervous system}} {{Muscular Dystrophy}} [[Category:Motor neuron disease]] [[Category:Genetic disorders]] [[Category:Autosomal recessive disorders]] [[ja:ウエルドニッヒ・ホフマン症]]