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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Since Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder, genetic counseling may helpful to couples with a family history of the disease.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes progressive deterioration of the muscles, and loss of function. The muscle deterioration leads to the use of braces and eventually a wheelchair. Impaired lung function leads to serious lung infections, aspiration, and death.
What are the risks to others?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is not contagious. It is an X-linked recessive disorder. This means that an unaffected woman who carries the gene can pass it to her sons.