About Duchenne Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder caused by an error in the dystrophin gene. The condition causes progressive muscle weakness as the muscle cells break down and die - leading to paralysis and death for those affected, typically before their 20th birthday. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, named after the doctor who first studied this specific condition in the 1800s, affects only boys, with extremely rare exceptions. Most affected boys show the first symptoms when they are aged between one and three. The features include: • being unable to run or jump as well as their peers • a difficulty climbing stairs • a difficulty getting up from the floor As they get older and the condition progresses they may be unable to walk as far or as fast as other children, occasionally even falling down. Some boys may also have learning and/or behavioural difficulties, which start to show at this stage. By the age of 11, boys with Duchenne become wheelchair users. By their late teens or early twenties the condition is severe enough to shorten life expectancy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare condition. About 100 boys are born with the condition in the UK each year and there are about 1,500 boys with the disorder living in the country at any one time. For more information on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, please visit the Action Duchenne Website: www.actionduchenne.org.

Website design donated by

Donate | Contact