Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Overview DMD is a progressive genetic disorder presented by gradual muscle weakness. It is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, meaning that only the male members of the family manifest the disease while females are the carriers of the disease. Symptoms Starts in early childhood with progressive weakness of thigh muscles in first few years of life.Calf hypertrophyPatient become wheelchair bound by second decade of lifeSkeletal deformitiesShorter life span with death due to breathing difficulties and cardiomyopathyBecker’s muscular dystrophy is similar to DMD with similar inheritance but is less severe and less common. However, cardiomyopathy is more severe and cause of death in these patients Risk factors Family historyCarrier motherMale sexSpontaneous mutation in DMD gene Specialist to approach Neurologist Diagnosis Clinical history and examinationBlood tests to determine serum CPK and LDH levelElectromyography to determine myopathic potentialsGenetic analysisMRI of muscle groups affectedMuscle biopsy for dystrophinopathies Treatment Corticosteroids for delaying cardiomyopathy and preserving pulmonary functions.Physiotherapy and rehabilitationSupportive treatment by tracheostomy and medicines to improve cardiac function.Casimersen, viltolarsen, eteplirsen, givinostat, and golodirsen are under evaluation