Question
A newborn has been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy and pneumonia, with no family history of the disease and no medication taken by the mother during pregnancy. Why would such a condition occur?
Answer
Muscle atrophy is a condition of muscle dystrophy, leading to a reduction in muscle volume, thinning of muscle fibers, and even their disappearance. This condition is closely related to the nervous system, as spinal diseases often lead to muscle dystrophy and atrophy. The specific causes of spinal muscular atrophy are not yet clear, and according to the current level of medical development, there is no particularly effective treatment method available, with limited effectiveness from medication. If genetic diagnosis could be conducted before delivery, perhaps such tragedies could be avoided.