What is Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy?
Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy is a condition that involves wasting of muscles and is hereditary in nature. It is a sex-linked disorder wherein the mother is the carrier. Males are affected.
Clinical Features
1. Male children 3-5 years of age.
2. Recurrent falls at play.
3. By age 5 muscle weakness is obvious.
4. The typical feature is the way a child gets up from the floor. He climbs up using his good leg for support.
5. Gait is waddling in nature.
6. The child’s spine curves inward.
7. The child walks on his toes rather than by placing his heel down first.
8. By the age of 12, the child is confined to a wheelchair.
9. By the age of 14-18 most patients develop serious respiratory infections.
10. IQ’s are low, below 75.
Management:
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy.