What is genetic testing for SMA?

Marisa Wexler, MS avatar

by Marisa Wexler, MS |

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Category: Diagnosis and Testing

Genetic testing for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a medical laboratory technique that checks whether a person carries mutations that are known to cause SMA. Genetic testing also can be used to identify SMA carriers — people who will not develop SMA themselves, but who carry the disease-causing mutation and may pass it on to their biological children.