Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) : Report of a Spanish case with extended clinicopathological follow-up

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is a clinically and genetically distinct and uncommon variant of SMA that results from irreversible degeneration of α-motor neurons in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and in ganglion cells on the spinal root ganglia. Aims: To describe the clinical, electrophysiological, neuropathological, and genetic findings, at different stages from birth to death, of a Spanish child diagnosed with SMARD1. Patient and methods: We report the case of a 3-month-old girl with severe respiratory insufficiency and, later, intense hypotonia. Paraclinical tests included biochemistry, chest X-ray, and electrophysiological studies, among others. Muscle and nerve biopsies were performed at 5 and 10 months and studied under light and electron microscopy. Post-mortem examination and genetic investigations were performed. Results: Pre- and post-mortem histopathological findings demonstrated the disease progression over time. Muscle biopsy at 5 months of age was normal, however a marked neurogenic atrophy was present in post-mortem samples. Peripheral motor and sensory nerves were severely involved likely due to a primary axonal disorder. Automatic sequencing of IGHMBP2 revealed a compound heterozygous mutation. Conclusions: The diagnosis of SMARD1 should be considered in children with early respiratory insufficiency or in cases of atypical SMA. Direct sequencing of the IGHMBP2 gene should be performed.