What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or DMD is the most common form of Muscular Dystrophy. Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body's muscles. It's caused by incorrect or missing genetic information that prevents the body from making the proteins needed to build and maintain healthy muscles. A person who is diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy gradually loses the ability to do things like walk, sit upright, breathe easily, and move the arms and hands. This increasing weakness can lead to other health problems.
- DMD affects about one 1 of every 3,500 males
- It’s caused by a error in the gene that makes a protein called dystrophin.
- DMD causes slow weakening of muscles.
- Symptoms usually appear in children between ages of 3 and 5.