What are the Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy?
It may be difficult to diagnose MD early because, in most cases, children, who have this disease, develop normally in their early years.
Slowly and gradually they start facing problems in activities like climbing stairs, walking on their toes, getting up from the sitting position, etc.
Mostly a child with MD often develops enlarged calf muscles due to fat replacements.
Some of the important muscular dystrophy symptoms are:
- Fatigue & muscle weakness.
- Mental retardation (possible but does not worsen over time).
- Difficulty with motor skills like running, hopping, and jumping.
- Difficulty in walking.
If you see any of these symptoms in your child or yourself, immediately approach a neurologist for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the Early Signs of Muscular Dystrophy in Children?
The early signs of muscular dystrophy may be different for different people depending on the type of it. But here are some of the common signs and symptoms that will help you in early diagnosis, treatment, and management of MD. These symptoms worsen with time if not treated properly. So, here are the signs:
- Muscle weakness starts in the hips, shoulders, or legs and progressively worsens
- The child finds it difficult to walk. Frequent falls, waddling gait, or trouble with stairs are some of the symptoms.
- They may have delayed motor skills like difficulty sitting, standing, or walking which are expected developmental milestones.
- Enlarged calf muscles are caused by muscle tissue being replaced with fat and connective tissue. It is called pseudohypertrophy.
- Difficulty running, jumping, or climbing.
- Weak muscles may lead to excessive tiredness and fatigue.
- Some types, like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, may be associated with cognitive delays.
- The child may have weakness in respiratory muscles, which can appear later but might start subtly.
- They may also have trouble swallowing.
- They may have learning disorders.
What are the Signs of Muscular Dystrophy in Toddlers?
Some signs of muscular dystrophy in toddlers are:
- Frequent falls and trouble standing up
- Enlarged calf muscles (pseudohypertrophy)
- Clumsiness in movements like frequent falls, tripping, and waddling
- Large calf muscles
- Toe walking
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Leg pain
- Scoliosis (a sideways curve of the spine)
How do Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms Vary by Age?
The symptoms and signs of MD change with age depending on the type and its progression. Here’s how symptoms of MD may show at different age groups:
Muscular Dystrophy can show its symptoms very early in the case of some types. One such type is Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD). Parents and caregivers of these little children will see developmental delays.
So if you suspect the toddler has CMD or any other form, you need to look for these:
- Feeding difficulties, including trouble sucking or swallowing
- Muscle weakness (hypotonia)
- Delayed motor milestones like rolling over, sitting up, or walking
- Joint stiffness
MD is commonly recognized in children if the child has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) or Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). At this stage, the child is busy with exploration and movement. That’s why the delays become more visible. Parents will notice that their child is lagging behind their peers in activities like running or climbing stairs.
You will see these symptoms:
- Delayed walking
- Frequent falls
- Trouble climbing stairs or standing up
- Enlarged calf muscles due to fat and scar tissue buildup
- Waddling wait
The symptoms will deteriorate very fast for children with DMD.
In adolescence, your child will face progressive muscle weakness and challenges related to mobility and independence. Cardiac and respiratory issues also start in many types of MDs like Duchenne and Becker.
Common symptoms during adolescence are:
- Loss of walking ability. Some people need to use wheelchairs in DMD.
- Development of scoliosis due to weakened back muscles
- Breathing difficulties caused by declining respiratory muscle strength
- Cardiac complications, such as arrhythmias (issues related to the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat) or cardiomyopathy (disease of heart muscle)
MD doesn’t appear until adulthood for some people. Types of MD like Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy (MMD), Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSM D) may develop in the late teens, twenties, or beyond.
The symptoms will be different for people suffering from different types of MD.
- People suffering from MMD experience weakness in the face, neck, and hands. They also have difficulty relaxing muscles (myotonia), and cardiac or endocrine issues.
- LGMD patients experience gradual weakness in the shoulder and hip areas which leads to difficulty climbing stairs or raising their arms.
- People suffering from FSMD experience weakness in the face, shoulders, and upper arms, progressing to the lower body over time
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What are the symptoms of inherited muscle disorders?
A. Some symptoms of inherited muscle disorders are muscle weakness, difficulty walking or climbing, frequent falls, delayed motor skills, muscle cramps, stiffness, and progressive muscle wasting.
Q2. What are progressive muscle weakness signs?
A. Some signs of progressive muscle weakness are difficulty moving, muscle atrophy, muscle cramps or spasms, a curved spine, heart problems, swallowing problems, and fatigue.
Q3. What is muscle degeneration in kids?
A. Muscle degeneration in kids means weakening and loss of muscle mass and function that happen very slowly as the child grows. It can be caused by genetic, metabolic, and other disorders.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Khushbu Jain is a dedicated professional with a passion for advancing healthcare through cutting-edge treatments. She has a special interest in researching regenerative medicine and advanced treatment for diseases that are difficult to treat with conventional treatment options. Her deep understanding of these progressive treatments allows her to offer patients personalized and effective solutions for a variety of health concerns.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
