Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare, progressive genetic disorder that typically appears in early childhood and leads to worsening muscle weakness. Symptoms often become noticeable around ages 2 or 3, when children begin walking, with early signs such as waddling, frequent falls, and difficulty walking. Many require a wheelchair by about age 10. Common features include enlarged calf muscles, Gower’s maneuver, contractures, scoliosis, cardiomyopathy, and breathing problems. DMD has no cure and can reduce lifespan to the 30s, often due to cardiac or respiratory failure. The condition is X-linked recessive, caused by mutations affecting dystrophin production. Research continues into gene editing and other treatments.