Muscular dystrophy in children and what parents should know

Children are the most valuable gift that the Creator gives to parents. Therefore, all parents hope that their children are healthy and develop normally like any other normal child. However, many congenital diseases and genetic disorders can greatly affect the health of children, muscular dystrophy is one of them.

So what is muscular dystrophy and how does it affect the health and life of children, invite you to learn with aFamilyToday Health in this article!

What is muscular dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that gradually weakens the muscles of the body. The main cause of this condition is a lack or loss of genetic information that prevents a child's body from making dystrophin, a protein that helps form and maintain healthy structures in the body.

Children with muscular dystrophy will gradually lose the ability to perform everyday activities such as walking, sitting upright, breathing normally, and moving arms and hands. Note that severe muscular dystrophy can lead to other health problems.

Muscular dystrophy comes in many different forms, each of which affects muscles to a different degree. In some cases, muscular dystrophy begins to cause muscle disorders in young children, but in other cases symptoms do not appear until adulthood.

What types of muscular dystrophy are?

Different types of muscular dystrophy affect different muscle groups and cause different degrees of impaired muscle function. Muscular dystrophy includes the following types:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: This is the most common type of muscular dystrophy  , which causes the body's muscles to weaken.

Becker type muscular dystrophy :  Causes more severe symptoms than Duchenne dystrophy.

Muscular Dystrophy: Also known as Steinert's syndrome, this is a common type of dystrophy in adults, although most cases are diagnosed before the age of 20. Muscles include muscle weakness, muscle tone disturbances (muscles that have problems relaxing after muscle contractions) and muscle damage (muscles shrink over time).

Genetic muscle dystrophy: This is a type of muscular dystrophy that affects both men and women. Symptoms usually begin in children aged 8 to 15 years. This type usually progresses slowly, affecting the pelvic, shoulder and back muscles. The severity of muscle weakness varies, with some children having only mild myasthenia gravis , while others having more severe symptoms and sometimes being forced to use a wheelchair as adults.

Dystrophy of the muscles of the face, shoulders, and arms: This condition is common in both boys and girls. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 11-19. Like root muscular dystrophy, this type of dystrophy also tends to develop slowly. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis appear on the face, making it difficult for children to close their eyes or puff their cheeks. Then, the child's shoulder and back muscles gradually weaken. At that time, your child will have a lot of difficulty in lifting an object or raising your hand. Over time, your baby's legs and pelvis can also be affected.

What are the first symptoms of muscular dystrophy?

Many children with muscular dystrophy still develop normally in the first years of life. But when the time comes, the onset will appear. Early symptoms of the disease include:

Or stumble

Waddling gait

Muscle pain and stiffness

Difficulty running, jumping, sitting or standing

Regularly walking with your toes (toes, heels not touching the floor)

Deficiency in learning, such as speaking later than usual ...

Over a period of time, symptoms may become worse, including:

Loss of mobility

The muscles and tendons are contracted, causing limited movement

Breathing problems can be so severe that breathing aids are needed

Scoliosis causing scoliosis

The heart muscle can be weakened, leading to heart problems

Difficulty swallowing , risk of pneumonia

Children with muscular dystrophy often experience an enlarged banana muscle (calf pseudohypertrophy) because muscle cells are destroyed and replaced with adipose tissue.

Methods to diagnose muscular dystrophy in children?

When you notice that your child has early symptoms of muscular dystrophy, you should bring your child to the doctor for examination and diagnosis as soon as possible. If you suspect that your child has muscular dystrophy, the doctor will conduct a physical exam, ask about family history and ask more about any muscle-related problems your child may have.

In addition, the doctor will order tests to determine the type of muscular dystrophy the child has and to rule out other diseases that may cause similar symptoms. These tests may include blood tests to determine serum creatine kinase levels, an enzyme released into the bloodstream when muscle fibers are broken down.

Through blood tests, your doctor can also check for defects or abnormalities in your baby's genetic makeup. Another commonly used diagnostic method is muscle biopsy. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a small sample of muscle and proceeds to observe them under a microscope. Dystrophic muscle cells often have morphological changes and have low dystrophin levels.

Treatments for children with muscular dystrophy

There is currently no way to completely treat muscular dystrophy in children. Scientists are still continuing to study to soon find a way to prevent and reverse this disease. In addition, they are also continuing on their path to finding ways to help improve and slow muscle dysfunction so that patients with muscular dystrophy can live as actively and independently as possible. .

If diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, your child may need to be followed up by a team of doctors, including: neurologists, orthopedists, respiratory specialists, physiotherapists. raw materials, cardiologist, dietitian.

Muscular dystrophy is usually muscle degeneration, meaning it can affect many other organs and cannot be reversed. As a result, your child may experience many progressive stages of the disease and need different treatments at each stage.

Two drugs commonly used for patients with muscular dystrophy are:

Corticosteroids : These drugs can help increase muscle strength and slow the progression of the disease, but long-term use can weaken bones and gain weight.

Cardiovascular drugs: If this condition affects the heart, beta blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed for your child.

In the early stages, physical therapy, joint support, and medication are the most commonly used methods to support the child. In the following stages, your doctor may use combination support methods such as:

Physiotherapy comes with the use of supportive cushions to improve muscle flexibility

Use a wheelchair to aid mobility

Use a ventilator to support breathing

Tools to help with everyday tasks ...

Physical therapy and supportive cushioning

With exercises that strengthen muscles and help the joints become more flexible, physical therapy can help children maintain muscle tone and reduce the severity of fibrosis.

Some physiotherapists also use additional aids such as cushions or braces to help prevent joint fibrosis. The stiffening of the muscles near the joint can make it difficult for the joints to move and can gradually degenerate joints in painful areas. By supporting these areas, a cushion or brace can help prolong the normal travel time of a child with muscular dystrophy.

Scoliosis treatment

Many children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy have severe scoliosis, whose spine may curl into an S or C-shape. This happens because the child's back muscles become weak and unable to keep the spine straight.

Some children with severe muscular dystrophy have to undergo "spinal fusion" surgery. This is an analgesic and less curvature surgery to help your child stay upright. This surgery is also done to ensure that the curvature of the spine does not affect breathing. Usually, "spinal fusion" surgery requires only a short hospital stay.

Respiratory support

Many children with muscular dystrophy also suffer from weakened heart and respiratory muscles. Therefore, the cough response to expel mucus is also often limited and aggravates some respiratory infections . For children with muscular dystrophy, general health care and regular vaccination are especially important, helping the body to fight these infections.

Supporting devices

A series of new techniques can help children with muscular dystrophy remain active independently. Some children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy may use a wheelchair when their condition progresses and has difficulty walking. Modern assistive devices can also be used to help children move their arms and perform other daily activities.

Muscular dystrophy is a dangerous genetic disorder that greatly affects the life of a person. Until now, there is no cure. However, there are a number of methods that can help patients with muscular dystrophy to function properly and slow the progression of the disease.