DMD Overview

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy can be found in 1 of every 3,500 male children throughout the world. The disease is passed genetically with every person, man or woman, having the same likelihood of carrying it. The symptoms of DMD are not visible at birth and will not have a noticable effect on the body for several years. DMD is caused by a defective gene which hinders the production of dystrophin. Dystrophin is crucial to the muscle building and muscle maintaining processes. As the child grows muscle tissue deteriorates and eventually the child will lose the ability to walk, typically between the ages of 9 and 11, and many boys also lose arm functions as an early teen. As muscles are used they quicly deteriorate due to the lack of dystrophin to repair and maintain muscle growth. Eventually the chest muscles deteriorate causing breathing difficulties. These difficulties lead to respiratory infections which continue until the process takes the life of the child.