Duchenne muscular dystrophy Health Article

Expectations (prognosis)

Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in rapidly progressive disability. Death usually occurs by age 25, typically from respiratory (lung) disorders.

Complications

• Deformities
• Permanent, progressive disability
  • Decreased mobility
  • Decreased ability for self-care
• Mental impairment (varies, usually minimal)
• Pneumonia or other respiratory infections
• Respiratory failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congestive heart failure (rare)
• Heart arrhythmias (rare)

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your child has symptoms that indicate Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen, or new symptoms develop, particularly fever with cough or breathing difficulties.

Prevention

Genetic counseling is advised if there is a family history of the disorder. Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be detected with about 95% accuracy by genetic studies performed during pregnancy.