The Clinical Progression of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Wendy Henderson avatar

by Wendy Henderson |

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF4D4TyE9NM&t=6s

This video from the Duchenne Foundation outlines the clinical progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It explains that for the first few years of a child’s life, there will be no obvious problems, but as the child ages, problems with mobility will start to appear.

Find out about the nine main types of muscular dystrophy.

The film features various Duchenne MD patients ranging in age: Eight-month-old Zach can do all the things an average baby his age can do (support his head, roll over and crawl). Then there’s Josh, who at three years old is beginning to show subtle signs of the disease (struggling with walking up stairs and getting up from sitting down).

At six years old, boys with Duchenne will begin to have problems walking, and a year later will find it difficult to keep up with friends. By the age of 10, most boys will no longer be able to walk and then after this age, the muscles in the upper body will start to degenerate. Older boys will need machines to help clear their airways and breathe at night.

Learn more about Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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