Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Definition: Inherited disorder in which the muscles continue to weaken. Most often seen in males.
Symptoms usually occur before age 6 and can include:
- Fatigue
- Mental retardation
- Muscle weakness (usually begins in legs and pelvis)
- Frequent falls
- Usually wheelchair bound by age 12
Related Complications:
- Abnormal heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
- CHF or arrhythmias
- Deformities of the chest or back (scoliosis)
- Enlarged calf muscles
- Muscle wasting
- Muscle contractures
- Muscle deformities
- Respiratory infections (pneumonia)
- Respiratory failure
- Sensation is still intact (they can feel everything)
There is no cure; treatment focuses on symptoms.
Life expectancy is 25 years.
Death usually results from respiratory complications