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Do you know the early signs of Duchenne muscular dystrophy? What are the symptoms before the age of four?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive genetic muscle disease that primarily affects boys. Early signs of the disease usually begin before a child is four years old, and symptoms can worsen quickly.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy initially causes weakness in the muscles around the legs and pelvis. Over time, muscle weakness will spread to the arms and eventually affect other parts of the body.
Research shows that children affected by this disease have difficulty walking, running and many daily activities. For example, they may find it difficult to stand up from a seated position because of weakness in their leg muscles. Additionally, they may walk awkwardly, often exhibiting a tiptoe gait.
One study shows a progressive decline in function of all major motor muscle groups, often leading to complete loss of the ability to walk before the teenage years.
After the age of four, and especially by age five, parents may notice a gradual decline in their child's motor abilities. These early signs may include:
- Easy to fall when climbing stairs or running
- Difficulty standing up or changing from sitting to standing, possibly Gowers' sign (use of arms to assist standing)
- Pseudohypertrophy of the calves and other major muscle areas (such as the buttocks) due to the gradual replacement of muscle tissue with fat and connective tissue
For the development of this disease, parents should recognize these signs early and
