DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH MUSCLES IN CHILDHOOD MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

There are different forms of Muscular Dystrophy which affect children They include Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Becker Muscular Dystrophy Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy

DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY The most common and severe type of muscular dystrophy (MD) is Duchenne MD. The most common and severe type of muscular dystrophy (MD) is Duchenne MD. Duchenne MD occurs because of a problem with the gene that creates a protein called dystrophin (dystrophin is a rod shaped protein). Without this protein the muscles break down and weakness occurs. Duchenne MD occurs because of a problem with the gene that creates a protein called dystrophin (dystrophin is a rod shaped protein). Without this protein the muscles break down and weakness occurs. It affects about one out of three thousand five hundred boys. This disease usually affects boys because even though girls can carry the gene, they usually have no symptoms. It affects about one out of three thousand five hundred boys. This disease usually affects boys because even though girls can carry the gene, they usually have no symptoms. The symptoms usually appear at the young age of about five when pelvic muscles start to weaken with other muscles in the shoulders, back, arms and legs eventually also weakening. Most kids with Duchenne MD need to use a wheelchair by the age of about 12 and eventually a ventilator is needed to assist breathing. The symptoms usually appear at the young age of about five when pelvic muscles start to weaken with other muscles in the shoulders, back, arms and legs eventually also weakening. Most kids with Duchenne MD need to use a wheelchair by the age of about 12 and eventually a ventilator is needed to assist breathing. Kids with Duchenne MD usually have life span of twenty years. Kids with Duchenne MD usually have life span of twenty years.

BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Becker MD is similar to Duchenne MD but progresses much slower Becker MD is similar to Duchenne MD but progresses much slower It affects 1 in 30,000 boys and is also caused by a lack of dystrophin. It affects 1 in 30,000 boys and is also caused by a lack of dystrophin. Symptoms normally begin in the teen years and start in the pelvic muscles and then move to the shoulders and back like Duchenne MD. Symptoms normally begin in the teen years and start in the pelvic muscles and then move to the shoulders and back like Duchenne MD. People affected by Becker MD usually lead normal lives and do not usually need a wheelchair. People affected by Becker MD usually lead normal lives and do not usually need a wheelchair.

MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY (STEINERT’S DISEASE) Myotonic Dystrophy is caused by a portion of a particular gene being larger than it should be. Myotonic Dystrophy is caused by a portion of a particular gene being larger than it should be. The main symptoms are muscle weakness, Myotona (when the muscles have trouble relaxing after they contract) and muscle wasting, with the muscles wasting over time. It usually starts in the muscles of the hands, feet, neck and face. The main symptoms are muscle weakness, Myotona (when the muscles have trouble relaxing after they contract) and muscle wasting, with the muscles wasting over time. It usually starts in the muscles of the hands, feet, neck and face. Children with myotonic dystrophy can develop cataracts and have heart problems. Children with myotonic dystrophy can develop cataracts and have heart problems. Myotonic Dystrophy usually occurs in 1 to 20,000 people and can affect children as young as 10. Myotonic Dystrophy usually occurs in 1 to 20,000 people and can affect children as young as 10.

LIMB-GIRDLE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY This type of MD equally effects both boys and girls. This type of MD equally effects both boys and girls. The symptoms usually begin to appear between 8 to 15 years old. The symptoms usually begin to appear between 8 to 15 years old. It progresses slowly and affects the pelvic, shoulder and back muscles. It progresses slowly and affects the pelvic, shoulder and back muscles. Muscle weakness varies with some children having mild symptoms and others needing to use a wheelchair when they are older. Muscle weakness varies with some children having mild symptoms and others needing to use a wheelchair when they are older.