These dystrophies are caused by defects in genes responsible for muscle function, which lead to muscle weakness that develops during childhood or adolescence, and nearly always occur in boys.
Both dystrophies are characterized by physical weakness.
The diagnosis is based on the results of tests done on samples of blood and a sample of muscle tissue.
Treatment includes physical therapy and sometimes surgery for both dystrophies and prednisone or deflazacort and sometimes other drugs for Duchenne dystrophy.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the second most common (facioscapulohumeral dystrophy Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. The muscles of the face and shoulder are affected. Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited muscle... read more is the most common) and the most severe form of muscular dystrophy. It begins during early childhood. Becker muscular dystrophy, although closely related to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, begins later during adolescence and causes milder symptoms. These dystrophies nearly always occur in boys. Together, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy affect about 1 of 5,000 to 1 of 6,000 live male births. Most affected people have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The gene defect that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy is different from the gene defect that causes Becker muscular dystrophy, but both defects involve the same gene, called the dystrophin gene. The gene for either of these traits is recessive and is carried on the X chromosome. Therefore, although a female can carry the defective gene, she will not develop the disease because the normal gene on one X chromosome compensates for the gene defect on the other X chromosome. However, any male who receives the defective gene will have the disease because males have only one X chromosome ( see X-Linked Inheritance X-Linked Inheritance Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that contain the code for a specific protein that functions in one or more types of cells in the body or code for functional RNA molecules.... read more ).
Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy lack almost all of the muscle protein dystrophin, which is important for maintaining the structure of muscle cells. Boys with Becker muscular dystrophy produce dystrophin, but because the protein structure is altered, the dystrophin does not function properly or the amount of dystrophin is insufficient.
Symptoms
The main symptom caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy is weakness of the muscles, including the heart muscle and the muscles for breathing. Only boys develop symptoms.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy begins between the ages of 2 years and 3 years. The first symptoms are developmental delay (particularly a delay in starting to walk) and difficulty walking, running, jumping, or climbing stairs. Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy fall frequently, which often causes arm or leg fractures. They walk with a waddle, frequently walk on their toes, and have difficulty rising from the floor.
Weakness in the shoulder muscles usually follows and gets steadily worse. As the muscles weaken they also enlarge, but the abnormal muscle tissue is not strong. In boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the heart muscle also gradually enlarges and weakens, causing problems with the heartbeat. Heart complications occur in about one third of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by age 14 and in all those over age 18 affected by the disease. However, because these boys are not able to exercise, the weakened heart muscle does not cause symptoms until the disease has progressed. About one third of boys with the disease have mild intellectual impairment Intellectual Disability Intellectual disability is significantly below average intellectual functioning present from birth or early infancy, causing limitations in the ability to conduct normal activities of daily... read more that will not become worse and that affects mostly verbal ability.
In boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the arm and leg muscles usually contract around the joints, so that the elbows and knees cannot fully extend. Eventually, an abnormally curved spine (scoliosis Scoliosis Scoliosis is abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can be present at birth or can develop during adolescence. Mild forms may cause only mild discomfort, but more severe forms can cause... read more 
) develops. Fat and other tissues replace certain enlarged muscle groups, particularly the calf muscles. By age 12, most boys with the disease need to use a wheelchair. Increasing weakness of the respiratory muscles also makes them susceptible to pneumonia and other illnesses, and most die by the age of 20.
Becker muscular dystrophy
In boys with Becker muscular dystrophy, weakness is less severe and first appears a little later, at about age 12. They are usually able to walk until at least age 15, and many remain able to walk into adulthood. The pattern of weakness resembles that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, very few adolescents need to use a wheelchair. Most people survive into their 30s or 40s.
Diagnosis
Blood tests
Genetic tests
Sometimes muscle biopsy
Doctors suspect muscular dystrophy based on characteristic symptoms, for example, a young boy becomes weak and grows weaker, particularly when there is a family history of muscular dystrophy or unexplained weakness in boys. Doctors do blood tests to measure the levels of the enzyme creatine kinase. In muscular dystrophy, creatine kinase leaks out of muscle cells, causing levels in the blood to be abnormally high. However, high blood levels of creatine kinase do not necessarily mean that a boy has muscular dystrophy because other muscle diseases may also cause elevated levels of this enzyme. Doctors also often do a test called electromyography Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Imaging tests commonly used to diagnose nervous system (neurologic) disorders... read more 
(EMG), which helps record a muscle's electrical activity.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is diagnosed by doing genetic tests (DNA tests) on a blood sample to identify mutations in the dystrophin gene. If genetic tests cannot confirm the diagnosis, doctors do a muscle biopsy (removal of a piece of muscle tissue for examination under a microscope) to determine levels of the protein dystrophin in the muscle. When looking at the muscle tissue under the microscope, doctors see dead tissue and abnormally large muscle fibers. The protein dystrophin cannot be detected or is detected in extremely low levels in people who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Similarly, Becker muscular dystrophy is diagnosed when genetic tests show defects in the dystrophin gene. A muscle biopsy shows a low level of the protein dystrophin in the muscle but not as low as in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Children who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy undergo electrocardiography Electrocardiography Electrocardiography (ECG) is a quick, simple, painless procedure in which the heart’s electrical impulses are amplified and recorded. This record, the electrocardiogram (also known as an ECG)... read more 
and echocardiography Echocardiography and Other Ultrasound Procedures Ultrasonography uses high-frequency (ultrasound) waves bounced off internal structures to produce a moving image. It uses no x-rays. Ultrasonography of the heart (echocardiography) is one of... read more 
to detect heart problems. These tests are done at the time the boy is diagnosed or by 6 years of age.
Close family members of children who have either Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy can have DNA tests of blood to detect the gene. Prenatal tests on a fetus to can help determine whether the child is likely to be affected.
Treatment
Physical therapy and ankle or leg braces
Sometimes angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers
Sometimes surgery
For Duchenne dystrophy, prednisone or deflazacort
For Duchenne dystrophy, sometimes drugs that increase production of the protein dystrophin
Neither Duchenne nor Becker muscular dystrophy can be cured.
Physical therapy Physical Therapy (PT) Physical therapy, a component of rehabilitation, involves exercising and manipulating the body with an emphasis on the back, upper arms, and legs. It can improve joint and muscle function, helping... read more , gentle exercise, and sometimes wearing ankle braces at night may help prevent the muscles from contracting permanently around joints. Leg braces may temporarily help maintain the ability to walk or stand. Sometimes surgery is needed to release tight, painful muscles or to correct scoliosis. Boys need fewer calories because they are less active. They should avoid overeating.
Children with breathing problems may wear special masks that help breathing Alternatives Mechanical ventilation is use of a machine to aid the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Some people with respiratory failure need a mechanical ventilator (a machine that helps air get... read more . If the mask does not help the breathing enough, doctors may insert a plastic tube directly into the windpipe (trachea) through a small incision in the front of the neck (a procedure called tracheostomy). The tube is attached to a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs (ventilator Mechanical Ventilation Mechanical ventilation is use of a machine to aid the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Some people with respiratory failure need a mechanical ventilator (a machine that helps air get... read more ). A tracheostomy may allow children with Duchenne dystrophy to live into their 20s. Children with heart problems may be given drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers.
People who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy who are over age 5 and have significant muscle weakness are given prednisone or deflazacort, which are corticosteroids. Prednisone or deflazacort is taken by mouth daily. When taken for a long time, these drugs have many benefits, such as improving strength, allowing children to walk for a few more years, maintaining heart and lung functions, and increasing survival by 5 to 15 years. However, long-term use of these drugs causes many side effects, such as weight gain, puffiness in the face, and an increased risk of spine and bone problems ( see Corticosteroids: Uses and Side Effects Corticosteroids: Uses and Side Effects 
). Prednisone and deflazacort have not been adequately studied for treatment of Becker muscular dystrophy.
Some people who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy and who have certain mutations of the dystrophin gene may be given the drugs eteplirsen, golodirsen, or viltolarsen. These drugs help stimulate the production of the protein dystrophin. Although the dystrophin that is produced is not normal, it does function and can lessen symptoms.
Families should consider genetic counseling Genetic Screening Before Pregnancy Genetic screening is used to determine whether a couple is at increased risk of having a baby with a hereditary genetic disorder. Hereditary genetic disorders are disorders of chromosomes or... read more for help in evaluating the risk of passing the muscular dystrophy gene to their children.
More Information
The following is an English-language resource that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
Muscular Dystrophy Association: Information on research, treatment, technology, and support for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
prednisone |
Deltasone, Predone, RAYOS, Sterapred, Sterapred DS |
deflazacort |
Emflaza |
eteplirsen |
Exondys 51 |
golodirsen |
Vyondys |
viltolarsen |
Viltepso |
