Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact. DMD is one of four conditions known as dystrophinopathies. DMD symptom onset is in early childhood, usually between ages 2 and 3. The daughters each have a 50% chance of being carriers. Very rarely, a female can be affected by the disease. Duchenne muscular dystrophy occurs in about 1 out of every 3600 male infants. The disease primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a form of muscular dystrophy. The main sign of muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness. Specific signs and symptoms begin at different ages and in different muscle groups. No cure for DMD is known, and an ongoing medical need has been recognized by regulatory authorities. Gene therapy has shown some success. Complications includes osteoporosis, nutritional problems, cardiac complication such as cardiomyopathy, chest and breathing complication. This condition can be improved when detected as early as possible.