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Becker muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves slowly worsening muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis.
Alternative NamesBenign pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy; Becker's dystrophy
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsBecker muscular dystrophy is very similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, except that it gets worse at a much slower rate.
The disorder is passed down through families (inherited). Having a family history of the condition raises your risk.
Becker muscular dystrophy occurs in approximately 3 - 6 out of every 100,000 males. It is less common than Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
SymptomsFemales rarely develop symptoms. Males will develop symptoms if they inherit the defective gene. Symptoms usually appear in boys at about age 12, but may begin later.
Muscle weakness of the lower body, including the legs and pelvis area, slowly gets worse, causing:
- Difficulty walking that gets worse over time; by age 25-30 the person is usually unable to walk
- Frequent falls
- Difficulty with running, hopping, and jumping
- Loss of muscle mass
Muscle weakness in the arms, neck, and other areas is not as severe as in the lower body.
Other symptoms may include:
- Breathing problems
- Cognitive problems (these do not get worse over time)
- Fatigue
- Loss of balance and coordination
The health care provider will do a nervous system (neurological) and muscle examination. A careful medical history is also important, because the pattern of symptom development resembles that of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. However, Becker muscular dystrophy gets worse much more slowly.
An exam may find:
- Abnormally developed bones, leading to deformities of the chest and back (scoliosis)
- Abnormality of heart muscle function (cardiomyopathy)
- Congestive heart failure or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) - rare
- Muscle deformities, including:
- Contractures of heels and legs
- Abnormal fat and connective tissue in calf muscles
- Muscle loss that begins in the legs and pelvis, then moves on to the muscles of the shoulders, neck, arms, and respiratory system
Tests that may be done include:
- CPK blood test
- Electromyography (EMG) nerve testing
- Muscle biopsyor genetic blood test
There is no known cure for Becker muscular dystrophy. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms to maximize the person's quality of life. Some doctors prescribe steroids to help keep a patient walking for as long as possible.
Activity is encouraged. Inactivity (such as bed rest) can make the muscle disease worse. Physical therapy may be helpful to maintain muscle strength. Orthopedic appliances such as braces and wheelchairs may improve mobility and self-care.
Genetic counseling may be recommended. Daughters of a man with Becker muscular dystrophy may carry the defective gene and could pass it onto their sons.
Support GroupsYou can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
See: Muscular dystrophy - support group
Expectations (prognosis)Becker muscular dystrophy leads to slowly worsening disability, although the degree of disability varies. Some men may need a wheelchair, while others may only need to use walking aids such as canes or braces.
Complications- Heart-related complications such as cardiomyopathy
- Lung failure
- Pneumonia or other respiratoryinfections
- Increasing and permanent disability, that leads to:
- Decreased ability to care for self
- Decreased mobility
Call your health care provider if:
- Symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy appear
- A person with Becker muscular dystrophy develops new symptoms (particularly feverwith cough or breathing difficulties)
- You are planning to start a family and you or other family members have been diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy
Genetic counseling may be advised if there is a family history of Becker muscular dystrophy.
ReferencesKliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Muscular dystrophies. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 608.
What else can I help you with?
Is muscular dystrophy and duchenne muscular dystrophy the same?
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.
Is Electrical stimulation contra indicated to Becker's muscular dystrophy?
Electrical stimulation is generally not contraindicated for Becker's muscular dystrophy, but caution is advised. Patients with this condition may have varying degrees of muscle function and response to stimulation, so individualized assessments are crucial. Consulting with a healthcare professional familiar with muscular dystrophies is essential to determine the appropriateness and safety of electrical stimulation for each patient.
Common ailments of muscular system?
Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy,Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, Dermatomyositis,Compartment Syndrome,Myasthenia Gravis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Mitochondrial Myopathies,Rhabdomyolysis,Polymyositis,Fibromyalgia,Myotonia,Myofascial Pain Syndrome and etc.
At what age does Becker's muscular dystrophy appear?
Becker's muscular dystrophy typically appears in boys between the ages of 5 and 15, although symptoms can sometimes emerge as late as the mid-30s. The condition is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting, primarily affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvis, and thighs. Early signs may include difficulty with activities such as running, jumping, or climbing stairs.
What are the most inherited diseases?
1. Cystic Fibrosis 2. Huntington's Disease 3. Down Syndrome 4. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 5. Sickle Cell Anemia 6. Celiac Disease 7. Becker Muscular Dystrophy 8. Noonan Syndrome 9. Thalassemias 10. Bloom's Syndrome
What is treatment for baker muscular dystrophy?
Baker muscular dystrophy, also known as Becker muscular dystrophy, is a genetic condition with no cure. Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, which may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the use of assistive devices like braces or wheelchairs. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to help slow muscle degeneration. Regular monitoring by healthcare professionals is essential to address complications and adapt treatment plans as needed.
What has the author Peter Emil Becker written?
Peter Emil Becker has written: 'Dystrophia musculorum progressiva' -- subject(s): Cases, clinical reports, statistics, Genetic aspects, Genetic aspects of Muscular dystrophy, Muscular dystrophy 'Wege ins Dritte Reich' -- subject(s): Antisemitism, Eugenics, History, National socialism, Race relations, Racism 'Humangenetik' -- subject(s): Human genetics 'Myotonia congenita and syndromes associated with myotonia'
What are the chances of getting muscular dystrophy from you r parents?
The chances of inheriting muscular dystrophy from your parents largely depend on the specific type of muscular dystrophy and the inheritance pattern associated with it. For instance, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are X-linked recessive disorders, meaning that mostly males are affected and females can be carriers. If a mother is a carrier, there is a 50% chance of passing the gene to her sons, who would be affected, and a 50% chance for daughters to be carriers. Other types may follow different inheritance patterns, so genetic counseling is often recommended for families with a history of the condition.
How does the genetic defect that causes Becker dystrophy work?
In Becker dystrophy, there is a less-active form of dystrophin (a protein) disrupting the gateway regulator, allowing some leakage of intracellular substances, leading to the myopathy.
When do the symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy usually appear?
usually appear in late childhood to early adulthood. Though the progression of symptoms may parallel that of DMD, the symptoms are usually milder and the course more variable
What is the percentage of muscular dystrophy in males?
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.
How is Muscular Dystrophy tested for?
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.
