Treatment can include: slowing the disease using medicines. Steroids improve function, and prednisone has been used for many years. Your doctor can tell you about the differences between these and which is best for your child. This is approved for people who have a piece of the dystrophin gene missing.
It works to skip over the missing piece of DNA and restore how much dystrophin protein the body makes. This is given weekly through an IV into a vein line. Many boys get this treatment at home after having the initial doses in the hospital. What Can I Expect? Breathing problems are carefully monitored with regular pulmonary function tests PFTs and sleep studies. A pulmonologist lung specialist will prescribe medicines to treat infections and improve breathing.
Regular flu shots and pneumonia shots are recommended. Heart function is monitored and medicines are given as needed to treat heart enlargement cardiomyopathy and irregular heart rhythms. Nelson explains. It can be quite confusing for the physician seeing these girls. Sometimes, in very rare cases, a girl will have Duchenne that follows the typical pattern of boys with the condition. Nelson notes that he currently has one female patient whose disease might not be as severe as Duchenne in boys, but who is being treated in much the same way.
In addition to having Duchenne, a person in this situation is usually unable to carry a pregnancy. In very rare cases, a girl will have a genetic mutation that causes Duchenne in both of her X chromosomes.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Kids with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy might: have trouble climbing stairs be clumsy trip and fall a lot toe walk have leg pain have weak arm, leg, or face muscles have large calves Symptoms of Duchenne dew-SHEN and Becker muscular dystrophy are progressive. What Causes Muscular Dystrophy? How Is Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosed? Doctors diagnose muscular dystrophy by: asking questions about symptoms doing an exam asking if others in the family have muscular dystrophy doing blood tests, including genetic testing taking a muscle biopsy looking at a small piece of muscle under a microscope doing an EMG a test that checks how the nerves and muscles are working together doing an EKG or echocardiogram to check the heart How Is Muscular Dystrophy Treated?
Treatment may include: physical therapy a walker, wheelchair, or crutches braces and splints breathing support medicines nutritional counseling surgery for scoliosis How Can Parents Help?
To help your child: Go to all medical visits. Some types of muscular dystrophy are defined by a specific feature or by where in the body symptoms begin. Examples include:. Seek medical advice if you notice signs of muscle weakness — such as increased clumsiness and falling — in you or your child.
Certain genes are involved in making proteins that protect muscle fibers. Muscular dystrophy occurs when one of these genes is defective. Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic mutation particular to that type of the disease.
Most of these mutations are inherited. Muscular dystrophy occurs in both sexes and in all ages and races. However, the most common variety, Duchenne, usually occurs in young boys. People with a family history of muscular dystrophy are at higher risk of developing the disease or passing it on to their children.
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