Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) is a severe recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration, eventually leading to paralysis and early death. This affects one in 3500 males, making it the most prevalent of muscular dystrophies. In general, only males are afflicted, though females can be carriers.

HOW WILL IT PROGRESS?

Symptoms usually appear in male children before age 6. Progressive muscle weakness of the legs is observed first. Eventually this weakness spreads to the arms, neck, and other areas.

As the condition progresses By age 10, braces may be required to aide in walking but most patients are wheelchair dependent by age 12. Later symptoms may include abnormal bone development that lead to skeletal deformities, including curvature of the spine.

Due to progressive deterioration of muscle, loss of movement occurs eventually leading to paralysis. There is also an increased instance of Intellectual impairment but this does not progressively worsen with age. The life expectancy for patients afflicted with DMD varies from early teens to age mid 30s.

HOW COMMON IS IT?

About 100 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are born in the United Kingdom each year. There are about 1500- 2000 known boys with the disorder living in the UK at any one time. For the general population the risk of having an affected child is about 1 in every 3500 male births.

IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?

There is no cure for Duchenne.