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Distal Muscular Dystrophy (DD)
Definition - One of nine types of muscular
dystrophy, a group of genetic, degenerative diseases primarily affecting
voluntary muscles.
Cause - A mutation in any of at least seven genes that affect proteins
necessary to the function of muscles.
Onset - 20s to 50s.
Symptoms - Weakness and wasting of muscles of the hands, forearms and
lower legs.
Progression - Slow progression; not life-threatening.
Inheritance - May be autosomal dominant, meaning a faulty gene is
inherited from one parent; or autosomal recessive, occurring when a faulty gene
is inherited from each parent.
