Linda Lowes, PhD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, discusses results from a study focusing on gross motor delay in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
DMD affects the muscles, leading to muscle wasting that gets worse over time. DMD occurs primarily in males, though in rare cases may affect females. Symptoms include progressive weakness and atrophy of both skeletal and heart muscle. Early signs may include delayed ability to sit, stand, or walk and difficulties learning to speak. Muscle weakness is usually noticeable in early childhood. DMD is caused by genetic changes in the DMD gene.
Study
As noted by Dr. Lowes, the objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of gross motor delay in infants and toddlers with DMD as well as track the trajectory of skill development. A gross motor test of the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development was utilized to compare the boys’ development to age matched peers. The study included 90 boys between the ages of 2 months and 5.9 years of age.
Dr. Lowes and colleagues observed that 96% of these young boys had significant developmental delay. While these boys continued to gain skills, they fell further below average as they grew older when compared to typical boys their age. Only 4% of participants achieved a scaled score within the average range of typical gross motor development during at least one visit. Consistent test items that were difficult for the boys to complete include reciprocal stair climbing without a railing, jumping forward, and jumping down from a step. These results indicate that even at a young age, when symptoms of DMD are not necessarily noticeable, there are significant motor impairments occuring that impede the children’s quality of life.
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To learn more about DMD and other rare musculoskeletal disorders, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/musculoskeletal-diseases/
