Infant with life-threatening genetic disorder receives $2.1M injection – KVOA Tucson News

(KARK) An Arkansas infant born with a life-threatening genetic disorder has received a multi-million dollar treatment that could save her.

Its also a big milestone since shes the first baby in the state that had the pricey one-time injection paid for by insurance.

When Josephine Gilmore was 4-months-old, doctors found she was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, also known as SMA. Its a rare genetic disorder that causes a persons nerves to start dying before theyre born.

How could I let this happen to my kid? Why didnt I see the signs? But you dont know, says Josephines mom Casey Gilmore. Theres not enough education about SMA and how horrible of a disease it is.

The earlier doctors detect the disorder, the better the outcome. Unfortunately many times SMA is not found until a child is a few months old, and that can be too late.

At 6 months nearly 90 percent of the motor neurons in a childs body are dead, Gilmore explains.

There is a gene therapy drug that can help reverse the effects of SMA. Its a one time injection that costs around $2.1 million. Doctors call it life-saving.

Read more:http://bit.ly/35UVgCo

Continued here:
Infant with life-threatening genetic disorder receives $2.1M injection - KVOA Tucson News