When do they start?
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy are very similar. Duchenne usually starts by age 2 or 3 years. Children with Duchenne are often in a wheelchair by age 9 or 10 years, but some may need a wheelchair much earlier or later. Becker causes similar symptoms but starts later and is usually less severe.
Who does it affect?
Mostly boys, but it can affect girls some, too
Which muscles are affected most by weakness?
Weakness starts in the trunk but spreads to the arms and legs. The legs usually get weak first. This can make it hard to run, jump, or climb stairs.
What other problems can it cause?
Heart and lung problems
Abnormal curves in the spine
Mental problems in some but not all children
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy
When does it start?
Early childhood to age 20 years or later
Who does it affect?
Boys and girls
Which muscles are affected most?
Weakness usually starts in the arms and later affects the legs, too. Sometimes the face weakens a little.
What other problems can it cause?
Heart problems
Limited movement at certain joints caused by a tightening of the tissues around the joint (called "contracture")
Myotonic dystrophy
When does it start?
Can start in infancy, childhood, teenage years, or adulthood
Who does it affect?
Boys and girls
Which muscles are affected most?
Face muscles, arms, and legs
What other problems can it cause?
Muscle pain
Problems affecting the heart, eyes, brain, and sexual organs
Problems breathing and swallowing
Stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation
Being too sleepy during the day
Nerve damage (called neuropathy)
Limb girdle muscular dystrophy
When does it start?
Early childhood or later in life
Who does it affect?
Boys and girls
Which muscles are affected most?
Shoulders and hips
What other problems can it cause?
Heart problems
Limited movement at certain joints caused by a tightening of the tissues around the joint (called "contracture")
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)
When does it start?
Usually affects people ages 10 to 20 years, but can happen younger
Who does it affect?
Boys and girls
Which muscles are affected most?
The face muscles get so weak that the person cannot smile, whistle, or shut his or her eyes tight. In some cases, weakness affects the legs; in other cases, the shoulders and upper arms.
What other problems can it cause?
Pain
Hearing problems
Heart problems
Mental problems or seizures in some who get the disease very early in life
Congenital muscular dystrophy
When does it start?
At birth
Who does it affect?
Boys and girls
Which muscles are affected most?
Many muscles can be weak. Sometimes this is called "floppy baby".
What other problems can it cause?
Limited movement at certain joints caused by a tightening of the tissues around the joint (called "contracture")
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