Duchenne: The most common type, it affects only boys as it is anX-chromosome-linked disorder and retards growth. It results from a defect in a singleimportant protein in muscle fibres called dystrophin.
Becker: A mild variant of dmd in which the muscles of the face andinvoluntary muscles are not affected.
Limb Girdle: It affects both boys and girls and attacks the muscles ofthe upper or proximal parts of the limbs.
Facio-scapulo-humeral: This shows up the earliest and causes severeweakness in the face and shoulders. There is progressive degeneration in legs and arms.
Myotonic: The commonest observed in adults though rate of deteriorationis slow. Associated problems include cataracts, testicular atrophy, baldness anddisturbance of heart rhythm.
Spinal Muscular: Involves degeneration of the nerve cells in the spinalcord.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: A group of conditions which result inweakness and wasting of muscles below the knees and often those of the hands.
(There are MD support groups all over the country. For more information, contact DrI.C. Verma, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi or call Sanjana Goyal, Solan, HP at01792-20212.)
