Should patients with SMA be screened for coagulation factor deficiencies?

Researchers in Turkey have highlighted the possible coexistence of coagulation factor deficiencies in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Their study results were reported at WMS 2022.

SMA is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the degeneration of the spinal cord and motor neuron cells. Coagulation factor deficiencies are also rare and may be difficult to diagnose due to their heterogeneous clinical manifestations, particularly for deficiencies in factor XI and factor XIII.