What are Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy?
A plain-language overview of DMD and BMD, early signs, genetics, and where to find trusted information.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are genetic conditions that cause progressive muscle weakness. Both are caused by changes in the DMD gene, which provides instructions for dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells stable.
DMD is the more severe form. Signs often appear in early childhood, and the condition progresses over time. BMD generally has a later onset and slower progression, but it still needs specialist care.
Early signs can include delayed walking, difficulty climbing stairs, frequent falls, and trouble getting up from the floor. Diagnosis usually involves a clinical examination, genetic testing, and sometimes a muscle biopsy. A specialist care team can explain the results and next steps.
There is no cure for DMD or BMD. Care focuses on monitoring, support, and quality of life. Standards of care cover the heart, lungs, muscles, bones, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing.
This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment decisions, speak with a qualified care team. For more detail, see the World Duchenne Organization at worldduchenne.org and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy at parentprojectmd.org.
