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Muscular Diseases in Children

Muscular diseases in children can be very debilitating and tend to cause a lot of concern for parents. Between muscular dystrophy and metabolic disease of the muscles, children experience symptoms of weakened muscles that are important for various aspects of physical functioning such as running, walking and even the functioning of enzymes that help break down glucose (sugar).

  1. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

    • Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that affects children between the ages of 2 and 6. This form of muscular dystrophy affects males only and usually causes deformities of the arms, spine and legs. Symptoms include weakness of the muscles in the hips, pelvis, thighs and shoulders. Those with DMD often die between their teens and early 20s due to heart and breathing troubles in the later stages of the disease.

    Phosphorylase Deficiency

    • Phosphorylase deficiency occurs in children before the age of 15. It is a metabolic disease that affects muscles used to process carbohydrates. Although the disease is not progressive, it can still cause fatigue when exercising. Symptoms include intolerance to exercise, cramping and weakness of muscles. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association it is "a genetic defect in the phosphorylase (also known as myophosphorylase) enzyme, which affects the breakdown of glycogen, the stored form of glucose (sugar)."

    Becker Muscular Dystrophy

    • Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is much like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but this form of muscular disease is much milder. Progression of BMD is slower and generally affects children between the ages of 2 and 16 years of age. BMD affects only males and their voluntary muscles. Symptoms include weakness of the hip, pelvic, thigh and shoulder muscles. Unlike Duchenne muscular dystrophy, those with BMD often live up to mid-to-late adulthood.

    Acid Maltase Deficiency

    • Acid maltase deficiency, much like phosphorylase deficiency, is a muscular disease that affects carbohydrate processing. Onset of the disease occurs in infants on up and produces symptoms such as weakness of the respiratory, hip, leg, shoulder and arm muscles. Progression of this disease is typically slow and less severe during childhood, although when it occurs in infants it can be fatal if not treated soon enough.

    Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

    • Congenital (meaning present at the time of birth) muscular dystrophy is a degenerative disease that affects both male and female children. Progression of this disease is generally slow. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association symptoms include "generalized muscle weakness with possible joint stiffness or looseness. Depending on the type, CMD may involve spinal curvature, respiratory insufficiency, mental retardation or learning disabilities, eye defects or seizures."

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