Five common symptoms of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) include difficulty with motor skills, enlarged calves, an altered gait, spinal curvature, and later, heart and respiratory problems.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Difficulty Jumping, Running, and Walking: This is often one of the first noticeable symptoms. Children may struggle to keep up with their peers and may fall frequently. Muscle weakness, especially in the legs and hips, contributes to this difficulty.
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Enlargement of the Calves (Pseudohypertrophy): The calf muscles may appear larger than normal. However, this is due to the replacement of muscle tissue with fat and connective tissue, not actual muscle growth. This condition is called pseudohypertrophy.
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Waddling Gait: As muscle weakness progresses, children often develop a characteristic "waddling" gait. This is due to weakness in the hip and thigh muscles, which causes them to compensate with their upper body.
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Lumbar Lordosis (Inward Curve of the Spine): DMD can lead to an exaggerated inward curve of the lower back. This is a compensatory mechanism to maintain balance and posture as the muscles in the hips and trunk weaken.
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Heart and Respiratory Muscle Involvement: In the later stages of DMD, the heart and respiratory muscles can be affected. This can lead to cardiac problems, such as cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle), and respiratory difficulties, including pneumonia and sleep apnea.
