Characteristics
![Picture](/uploads/6/0/1/9/60197421/7152211_orig.jpg)
Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy is the most common type of Muscle Dystrophy in children.It occurs when a mutation in the X chromosome prevents the production of the protein dystrophin, which is found in the skeletal muscle that keeps your muscles healthy and strong.
Duchenne commonly affects boys because they only have one X chromosome, and rarely affects girls because they have two X chromosomes which can easily make up for the mutated one. Typically guardians of young children that are new to walking will notice weakness and a decrease in size of muscle and strength in the pelvis and upper legs. It can also progress into the upper arms. This can result in many challenges such as falling, waddling, impaired breathing , and cardiomyopathy (chronic disease of the heart muscle). In some cases it can cause mental retardation and affect cognitive learning and behavior. Progressions can lead to young children in wheelchairs, trouble breathing, respiratory infections, swallowing problems and even death. Quite a few people in their twenties have died from heart and lung failure due to the decrease of muscle mass and weakening of the muscles. "Wasting muscle" occurs when you lack physical activity due to injury, weakness, and decrease in muscle mass.
References:
Duchenne commonly affects boys because they only have one X chromosome, and rarely affects girls because they have two X chromosomes which can easily make up for the mutated one. Typically guardians of young children that are new to walking will notice weakness and a decrease in size of muscle and strength in the pelvis and upper legs. It can also progress into the upper arms. This can result in many challenges such as falling, waddling, impaired breathing , and cardiomyopathy (chronic disease of the heart muscle). In some cases it can cause mental retardation and affect cognitive learning and behavior. Progressions can lead to young children in wheelchairs, trouble breathing, respiratory infections, swallowing problems and even death. Quite a few people in their twenties have died from heart and lung failure due to the decrease of muscle mass and weakening of the muscles. "Wasting muscle" occurs when you lack physical activity due to injury, weakness, and decrease in muscle mass.
References:
- http://www.muscle.ca/about-muscular-dystrophy/types-of-neuromuscular-disorders/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/
- http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/muscular_dystrophy.html
- http://duchennesmd.synthasite.com/what-causes-dmd.php
- http://duchennesmd.synthasite.com/resources/MD_inheritance.jpg