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Living with Prenatal-onset spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures

A very rare genetic nerve and muscle condition that begins before birth, with reduced fetal movement, stiff joints and broken bones.

Understanding Prenatal-onset spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures

Prenatal-onset spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures is a rare genetic disease of the motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscles.

It starts during pregnancy with reduced or absent fetal movement. Babies are born with stiff, fixed joints (arthrogryposis) and multiple broken bones. Other features include breathing difficulty after birth, very low muscle tone, no reflexes, trouble swallowing, heart differences and distinctive facial features.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list for this condition. Its description mentions these:

  • Reduced fetal movement
  • Stiff, fixed joints from birth
  • Broken bones present at birth
  • Breathing difficulty after birth
  • Very low muscle tone
  • Trouble swallowing

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists, brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Would genetic testing find the cause, and what would it mean for future pregnancies?
What breathing and feeding support is available?
Which specialists and family supports should we ask about?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition but doesn't name a gene. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: smabf; spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Prenatal-onset spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fracturesGARD ID 17882 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

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