Health and Me

Itisha Arya

SMA Type 1: What This Health Condition Could Mean For Jesy Nelson’s Babies’ Mobility

sma type 1 jesy nelson

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has opened up about her twin baby daughters being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that could mean they "probably will never walk." Jesy and her musician partner, Zion Foster, welcomed Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster prematurely last May. On Sunday, she shared in an Instagram video that her daughters have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (<span>SMA</span>), which she called the "most severe muscular disease." "It affects every muscle in the body — legs, arms, even breathing and swallowing," she explained. Below, we break down more about this health condition.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Jesy Nelson Twins</span> Facing <span rel="noindex">SMA Type 1</span> Condition</h2>

Jesy Nelson revealed the heartbreaking news that her eight-month-old twins have been diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which may mean they never walk. The 34-year-old singer and her fiancé, Zion Foster, 27, welcomed daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster in May after a complicated pregnancy.

In an emotional Instagram video, Jesy struggled to hold back tears as she admitted: "I am grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children."

SMA gradually weakens all the muscles in the body, causing floppiness, breathing and swallowing difficulties, and delays in motor development. Jesy shared that her life has been completely upended as she now acts as a caregiver, managing breathing machines and performing tasks that no parent should have to do with their child.

SMA Type 1, also known as Werdnig-Hoffman disease, is the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is a genetic condition that leads to progressive muscle weakness due to a lack of Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. Symptoms typically appear before six months of age and include poor head control, weak cries, trouble swallowing, and an inability to sit on their own. Without early, aggressive treatment, this can cause severe breathing and feeding problems and often leads to early death, though new therapies are improving outcomes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

There are five recognized subtypes of SMA, classified by the age symptoms appear, severity, and expected life span:

SMA Type 0 (congenital SMA): This extremely rare form appears before birth, with reduced fetal movement. Newborns often show severe muscle weakness and usually experience respiratory failure, with death occurring at birth or within the first month.

SMA Type 1 (severe SMA): This accounts for roughly 60% of SMA cases and is also called Werdnig-Hoffman disease. Symptoms start within the first six months, including weak head control and low muscle tone (hypotonia). Infants may struggle to swallow and breathe, and without respiratory support, life expectancy is typically under two years.

SMA Type 2 (intermediate SMA): Also called Dubowitz disease, symptoms appear between six and 18 months. Muscle weakness worsens over time, usually affecting the legs more than the arms. Children may sit but cannot walk. Around 70% survive into their mid-20s, with respiratory complications being the main cause of death.

SMA Type 3 (mild): Known as Kugelbert-Welander disease, this type appears after 18 months. Weakness primarily affects the legs, making walking difficult, but breathing issues are rare, and life expectancy is generally unaffected.

SMA Type 4 (adult): The mildest form, it appears after age 21. Muscle weakness progresses slowly, and most people remain mobile, with normal life expectancy.

<h2>Jesy Nelson Twins: What Are the Symptoms of SMA?</h2>

Muscle weakness is the hallmark of SMA, typically starting in the muscles nearest the body’s core. Symptoms vary depending on the type.

<ul><li>Reduced fetal movements</li><li>Arthrogryposis (joint contractures)</li><li>Low muscle tone (hypotonia)</li><li>Severe muscle weakness</li><li>Life-threatening breathing issues</li></ul>

<ul><li>Limited head control</li><li>Hypotonia</li><li>Loss of reflexes (areflexia)</li><li>Cannot sit without support</li><li>Abnormal breathing patterns, including a bell-shaped chest</li><li>Difficulty swallowing, which can affect growth (failure to thrive)</li><li>Weakness in facial muscles, appearing later in the disease</li></ul>

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Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has opened up about her twin baby daughters being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that could mean they "probably will never walk." Jesy and her musician partner, Zion Foster, welcomed Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster prematurely last May. On Sunday, she shared in an Instagram video that her daughters have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which she called the "most severe muscular disease." "It affects every muscle in the body — legs, arms, even breathing and swallowing," she explained. Below, we break down more about this health condition.Jesy Nelson Twins Facing SMA Type 1 ConditionJesy Nelson revealed the heartbreaking news that her eight-month-old twins have been diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which may mean they never walk. The 34-year-old singer and her fiancé, Zion Foster, 27, welcomed daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster in May after a complicated pregnancy.In an emotional Instagram video, Jesy struggled to hold back tears as she admitted: "I am grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children."SMA gradually weakens all the muscles in the body, causing floppiness, breathing and swallowing difficulties, and delays in motor development. Jesy shared that her life has been completely upended as she now acts as a caregiver, managing breathing machines and performing tasks that no parent should have to do with their child.SMA Type 1: What Is It?SMA Type 1, also known as Werdnig-Hoffman disease, is the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is a genetic condition that leads to progressive muscle weakness due to a lack of Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. Symptoms typically appear before six months of age and include poor head control, weak cries, trouble swallowing, and an inability to sit on their own. Without early, aggressive treatment, this can cause severe breathing and feeding problems and often leads to early death, though new therapies are improving outcomes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.Jesy Nelson Twins: Types of SMAThere are five recognized subtypes of SMA, classified by the age symptoms appear, severity, and expected life span:SMA Type 0 (congenital SMA): This extremely rare form appears before birth, with reduced fetal movement. Newborns often show severe muscle weakness and usually experience respiratory failure, with death occurring at birth or within the first month.SMA Type 1 (severe SMA): This accounts for roughly 60% of SMA cases and is also called Werdnig-Hoffman disease. Symptoms start within the first six months, including weak head control and low muscle tone (hypotonia). Infants may struggle to swallow and breathe, and without respiratory support, life expectancy is typically under two years.SMA Type 2 (intermediate SMA): Also called Dubowitz disease, symptoms appear between six and 18 months. Muscle weakness worsens over time, usually affecting the legs more than the arms. Children may sit but cannot walk. Around 70% survive into their mid-20s, with respiratory complications being the main cause of death.SMA Type 3 (mild): Known as Kugelbert-Welander disease, this type appears after 18 months. Weakness primarily affects the legs, making walking difficult, but breathing issues are rare, and life expectancy is generally unaffected.SMA Type 4 (adult): The mildest form, it appears after age 21. Muscle weakness progresses slowly, and most people remain mobile, with normal life expectancy.Jesy Nelson Twins: What Are the Symptoms of SMA?Muscle weakness is the hallmark of SMA, typically starting in the muscles nearest the body’s core. Symptoms vary depending on the type.Symptoms of SMA Type 0 include:Reduced fetal movementsArthrogryposis (joint contractures)Low muscle tone (hypotonia)Severe muscle weaknessLife-threatening breathing issuesSymptoms of SMA Type 1 include:Limited head controlHypotoniaLoss of reflexes (areflexia)Cannot sit without supportAbnormal breathing patterns, including a bell-shaped chestDifficulty swallowing, which can affect growth (failure to thrive)Weakness in facial muscles, appearing later in the disease