EP393 - COVID-19 INFECTION IN SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY: A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE (ID 1166)
Abstract
Title of Case:
COVID-19 Infection in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE
Background:
Although COVID-19 has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality in adults, children appear to be less frequently and less severely affected. Nevertheless patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), being particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, have been assumed to be more susceptible to severe manifestations of COVID-19 and poor clinical outcomes.The aim of this study was to report our center’s experience with SMA patients during COVID-19 pandemic era.
Case Presentation Summary:
All patients with SMA managed in our department during 2019-2021 were reviewed. Extracted data included SMA type, current disease severity and therapy administered, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status and disease history and course.A total of five children aged 11-15 years were reviewed. All patients were diagnosed with SMA Type II and were treated with Nusinersen every four months and two of them were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 without adverse events. One patient had tracheostoma and gastric feeding tube and one patient had noninvasive ventilation during sleep. Only two patients, monozygotic male twins, were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after exposure to their positive older sister. They received colchicine daily for Familial Mediterranean fever. Both patients developed mild symptoms with low-grade fever, dry cough and additionally gastrointestinal symptoms for the second twin. Neither patient experienced breathing difficulties nor required supplemental oxygen or hospitalization.
Learning Points/Discussion:
There are several cases of SMA and COVID-19 reported in the literature, including our center’s experience, without serious respiratory manifestations suggesting that the disease course may not be as severe as expected. Hospitalization for regular therapy administration appears to be safe and should be conducted as planned, since current available therapies combined with the young age may play a protective role against severe disease.
