Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week – February 13, 2027

History of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week is observed across the country in an effort to raise awareness about this rare genetic disorder that is one of the most common kinds of muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the neuromuscular system. Individuals suffering from these disorders experience progressive weakness and eventual breakdown of their muscular system.

These disorders are caused by mutations in the genes, which produce muscle proteins. They may be inherited from the parents or occur during the developmental stage when the child is a fetus. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (D.M.D.), in particular, is caused by a mutation of the gene for the protein dystrophin, and the disorder is named after the protein.

D.M.D. causes muscles to break down and die, and eventually get replaced by connective tissues and fat. It usually begins in the muscles of the thighs, pelvis, and calves, and eventually works its way up to the shoulders, neck, and arms.

This disorder primarily affects men and develops early on. Symptoms like difficulty rising from a prone position and difficulty walking are noticeable around the time a child becomes five years old. The disease progresses steadily, and individuals with the disorder are effectively paralyzed from the neck down by the time they’re 21. In rare cases, there are manifestations of this disorder that are non-musculoskeletal, in which case the neurological system is the most affected.