Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (NORD) | DuchenneXchange

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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (NORD)

key information

source: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

authors: Gyula Acsadi, MD, PhD

summary/abstract:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare muscle disorder but it is one of the most frequent genetic conditions affecting approximately 1 in 3,500 male births worldwide. It is usually recognized between three and six years of age.

DMD is characterized by weakness and wasting (atrophy) of the muscles of the pelvic area followed by the involvement of the shoulder muscles. As the disease progresses, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to affect the trunk and forearms and gradually progress to involve additional muscles of the body. In addition, the calves appear enlarged in most patients.

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