Duchenne+Muscular+Dystrophy

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are sex-linked diseases affecting only boys. They occur when a boy receives an X chromosome with a mutated dystrophin gene from his mother (in Duchenne's there is no gene, while in Becker's there is a mutated gene). Without functional dystrophin, the muscles eventually wither away. The main symptom is a loss of muscle throughout life. Duchenne's disease probably won't be noticed until the child is around 3 years old, while Becker's will not be noticed until later on in childhood. They will be noticed when the child has trouble walking, running, and/or talking. About one in every 3,500 boys is born with Duchenne syndrome and about 1 in 1,800 boys is born with Becker syndrome. CPK tests are tests that test the muscles for difficulties (they will show that the muscles are having problems, but not necessarily point to Duchenne's or Becker's), while a DNA test can be conducted to point to Duchenne's or Becker's. There is no cure to  the disease. Treatments include physical therapy, as well as spinal surgery for scoliosis, breathing aids if the diaphragm fails, braces and/or wheelchairs, and steroids to slow the effects of both diseases.