Treating SMA before birth

When prenatal testing confirmed Everett had spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, his family came to Children’s Mercy to explore an innovative treatment approach: beginning therapy before he was born. 

Working with the Elizabeth J. Ferrell Fetal Health Center, Lylach Haizler-Cohen, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine physician and clinical geneticist, helped coordinate a complex plan of care. Beginning around 26 weeks of pregnancy, Everett’s mother took risdiplam daily and returned weekly for ultrasounds, bloodwork and monitoring.

See how specialized expertise, multidisciplinary care and an innovative prenatal approach came together to give Everett a stronger start.

Watch Everett's story.