Boy with muscle-wasting condition has first round of treatment, in the hope that he'll walk one day

A 7-year-old boy from North Tyneside has become one of the first children in the country to have treatment which could allow him to walk.

Sam McKie has the genetic condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or otherwise known as SMA.

• Related article: NHS announces funding for Spinraza to treat muscle-wasting condition

In May, the health watchdog NICE announced that Nusinersen, also called Spinraza, had been approved for patients of Muscular Atrophy to receive the treatment on the NHS.

Our reporter Katie Cole went to the hospital in Newcastle where Sam had his first round of treatment.

What is spinal muscular atrophy?

The condition affects the nerves in the spinal cord, making muscles weaker and causing problems with movement, breathing and swallowing.

Where it develops in babies and toddlers, it can significantly reduce life expectancy.

Between 600 and 1,200 children and adults are currently living with the condition in England and Wales.