Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a term used to describe a group of myopathic (muscle disease) disorders that are genetic and progressive in nature. Although females may aquire MD in rare cases, it primarily affects males. The prevalence of MD is about 1 in 3,500 live male births.
There are many forms of MD. Some are identifiable shortly after birth while others do not manifest until adulthood. There are two primary categories of MD as follows:
Dystrophin gene mutation
Duchenne (DMD)
Occurs when there is no dystrophin (a protein in the muscle cell's membrane)
Most common form of MD in children
Infants may be asymptomatic
Muscle weakness becomes more noticeable between ages 3-5
Muscles continue to decline from ages 5-10. Children with DMD may go from being able to run and jump to walking with an altered gait or requiring the assistance of a wheelchair for mobility.
In the teen years, the student will likely need to switch to a powered wheelchair
Heart disease and respiratory issues are common
Many people with DMD pass away from heart or lung complications in their early to late 20s.
Becker
Other gene mutations
Duchenne
Most prevalent form of MD in children
Infants may be asymptomatic with muscle weakness noticed around age 3