As of recent estimates, approximately 1 in 3,500 male births is diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Given the U.S. male population, this suggests that there are around 20,000 boys currently living with DMD in the United States. However, the exact number can vary based on new diagnoses and advancements in treatment and care.
It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 3,500 to 5,000 boys are born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy worldwide. The exact number of individuals with this disease can vary by region and population.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders characterized by muscle weakening and wasting, while Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a specific type of muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. DMD is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy, typically affecting boys and leading to progressive muscle weakness and loss of function.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is inherited as an X-linked recessive genetic disorder, meaning the gene mutation that causes the condition is located on the X chromosome. Since boys have only one X chromosome inherited from their mother, they are more likely to develop Duchenne muscular dystrophy if they inherit the mutated gene. Girls have two X chromosomes, so even if they inherit one mutated gene, they often have a second normal X chromosome that can compensate for the mutation.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is more commonly seen in males of all ethnicities. It is an X-linked recessive disorder that primarily affects males because the gene mutation responsible for the condition is located on the X chromosome.
recessive
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the disorder characterized by a lack of protein dystrophin. This genetic disorder affects muscle function and leads to progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. It primarily affects boys and can result in mobility issues and other complications.
In the 1860s, descriptions of boys who grew progressively weaker, lost the ability to walk, and died at an early age became more prominent in medical journals. In the following ten years, French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne gave a comprehensive account of 13 boys with the most common and severe form of the disease (which now carries his name - Duchenne muscular dystrophy). It soon became evident that the disease had more than one form, and that these diseases affected males of all ages. Nine diseases including Duchenne, Becker, limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreifuss are always classified as muscular dystrophy.
Duchenne affects approximately 1 in every 3500 boys, or 20,000 babies born each year worldwide. Because the Duchenne gene is on the X chromosome, the disorder manifests primarily in boys. In nearly 35% of cases, Duchenne is caused by random genetic mutation.
Prevalence of MD is higher in males. In the United States, Duchenne and Becker MD occur in approximately one in 3,300 boys. Overall incidence of MD is about 63 per one million people.
Pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy, commonly known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is primarily caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene located on the X chromosome. Since boys have only one X chromosome, they are more likely to express the disease when the gene is mutated. In contrast, girls have two X chromosomes, which means they would need mutations in both copies to exhibit the condition; this is much less common. As a result, girls are often carriers of the disorder rather than affected individuals.
Usually boys get it it is very rare if women get it. Boys usually get it from ages 1-6.
Cystic Fibrosis 1/3300 children affected Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 1/3600 boys affected (Color blindness is not fatal, BTW)