Muscular atrophy can be disabling on its own. But atrophy of the muscles is usually the byproduct of another problem occurring in the body. Although muscle atrophy can occur in anyone regardless of age, children in particular can be afflicted by spinal muscular atrophy, which occurs in the muscles around the spine.
Occurrence
Three types of spinal muscular atrophy can occur in children. Type I usually occurs in the first few months of life and prevents a child from ever being able to sit upright. Other basic functions like sucking and swallowing may also be difficult. Type II often develops between 6 and 18 months and often inhibits the child's ability to crawl or walk. According to the National Institutes of Health, the legs suffer more impairment than the arms in most cases. Type III -- also called Wolhlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease -- is less threatening than types I and II. It can develop between the toddler stage and adolescence and can cause weakness in the back, although individuals suffering from it usually develop are able to stand and walk.
Complications
Various complications can make spinal muscular atrophies more difficult and could threaten a child's life. The respiratory system is weaker in children with SMA, and respiratory infections could be lethal if not properly treated. Children may also suffer from nightly breathing difficulty. Weakness in the arms and legs are common and worse the earlier in life spinal muscular atrophy develops. Curvature of the spine is common, and babies may suffer from poor nutrition due to difficulty sucking and swallowing food.
Outlook
Typically, the earlier a child starts to suffer from spinal muscular atrophy, the more grim the prognosis. Type I babies rarely survive past age 2. Type II individuals can survive into adulthood but will suffer from considerable motor function disability. Type III patients have a normal life expectancy but will suffer from slight motor function disability. Although there is no cure for SMA, Children's Hospital Boston reports it is one of the diseases for which a cure is most likely to be found.
Other Atrophy
Some cases of muscle atrophy are not specific to children. Any muscle in the body can atrophy in circumstances usually related to nonuse. Atrophy is common in muscles that are not used due to paralysis or other disabilities, such as bone breaks that place the muscles in a hard cast. Muscle atrophies can be rehabilitated through exercise and proper nutrition, provided the disability is not permanent.
