|  | Conditions Treatments | Skeletal Disorders

DMD Symptoms

DMD, or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is a more severe form of muscular dystrophy. It is caused by a defective gene that is responsible for protein in the muscles. Due to the nature of this gene, DMD affects males more so than females. According to the website Medline Plus, about one out of 3,600 male infants is affected by the condition. DMD is characterized by debilitating symptoms that are visible by the time a child is 6.

  1. Deformities

    • DMD has a direct effect on physical activity. It weakens muscles and causes some of them to look unusually large, while others appear small and undeveloped. This creates problems with walking, standing and other physical movement. Generally, an affected child does not start walking until after the average expected time and his walk will resemble waddling. He may fall down and have poor balance. He will often display difficulty standing up or climbing stairs. In later stages of DMD, there may be a tendency to walk on the tip of the toes due to tightening and inflammation in the calf muscles. Also, iordosis, a condition that causes deformity of the lower back, may be present. Iordosis is indicated by an overstated curve in the lower back while standing or walking.

    Cardiomyopathy

    • Cardiomyopathy, a disease that causes an enlarged heart, can be a symptom of DMD. The lack of dystrophin, the main protein that DMD patients are deficient in, causes muscle fibers in the heart to weaken. It generally appears in DMD patients in their early teens, causing death in 40 percent of patients. Cardiomyopathy may not present symptoms in the early stages, but as it progresses, various signs will show. The patient may have swollen legs and feet. There may be excess fluid in the abdomen, causing a bloated appearance. The heart will beat rapidly and irregularly. The patient may feel dizzy and lightheaded. Also, there may be acute breathing problems.

    Other Symptoms

    • DMD patients may feel fatigue due to the lack of muscle strength. In later stages of the disease, usually around age 12, walking may no longer be possible, making the use of a wheelchair necessary. Respiratory disorders, including pneumonia and aspiration, may develop frequently. Some DMD patients show evidence of retardation. Also, skeletal deformities, such as scoliosis, may develop.

Skeletal Disorders - Related Articles