The condition is very rare. Not a lot is known about the disease. We are working with researches to ask the right questions before getting to answers.

 
GPX4 babies-06.png
  • Sedaghatian type Spondylometaphyseal Dysplasia (SSMD) is an extremely rare progressive disorder.

  • The disease is congenital and majority of patients die in the first days after birth due to respiratory distress. 

 
GPX4 babies-07.png
  • We know of four kids (3 male, 1 female) living with this condition.

  • All babies lack head control, cannot sit unsupported, cannot walk, have feeding difficulties, and significantly delayed physical and cognitive development.

  • The oldest kid developed intractable seizures at the age of 3 and continues to be on anticonvulsants to reduce breakthrough seizures.

 
GPX4 babies-08.png
  • The long bones (metaphyses) show cupping/flaring with flattening of the vertebrae (platyspondyly)

  • Cardiac arrhythmia

  • Central nervous system abnormalities including hypogenesis of corpus callosum and cerebellar hypoplasia.

 
GPX4 babies-09.png

There are no treatments available as of today. Antioxidants such as Vitamin E, N-Acetyl-Cysteine, Co-Enzyme Q10 have been shown to be effective in experiments, but none of those cross the blood brain barrier.


Help us cure Raghav and other kids affected by SSMD Disease