Muscular dystrophies can be inherited in three ways: Autosomal dominant inheritance occurs when a child receives a normal gene from one parent and a defective gene from the other parent. Autosomal means the genetic mutation can occur on any of the 22 non-sex chromosomes in each of the bodys cells.

How does muscular dystrophy get passed on?

Inheriting muscular dystrophy. You have two copies of every gene (with the exception of the sex chromosomes). You inherit a copy from one parent, and the other copy from the other parent. If one or both of your parents has a mutated gene that causes MD, it can be passed on to you.

Is muscular dystrophy contagious?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common muscular dystrophy in children. It is a progressive disorder that causes muscles to become weaker over time until it affects the whole body. Duchenne is not contagious.

Is muscular dystrophy painful?

The findings indicate that pain is a more common problem in persons with FSHD than in persons with MMD, although it is common in both populations. In addition, these pain problems are chronic, underscoring the need to identify and provide effective pain treatments for patients with these neuromuscular diseases.

What is the most severe form of muscular dystrophy?

Duchenne MD (DMD) DMD is the most common and severe form of MD among children, and it accounts for approximately half of MD cases. DMD occurs mostly in boys, usually between 3 and 5 years of age, and progresses rapidly.

Can you get disability for muscular dystrophy?

When muscular dystrophy takes away your ability to maintain gainful employment, it qualifies as a disability – and the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes certain symptoms of the disease as a cause for benefits.

What is the average age of diagnosis for muscular dystrophy?

The average age at diagnosis for DMD was 5 years.

Is muscular dystrophy a death sentence?

Children with DMD are unable to produce dystrophin – a protein absolutely essential for muscle strength and function. As a result, every skeletal muscle in the body deteriorates over time and the disease is 100% fatal.