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Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a 30-year population-based incidence study
Joseph Dooley1, Kevin E Gordon, Linda Dodds
1IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. jdooley@Dal.Ca
Clinical Pediatrics
|January 19, 2010
Summary
The incidence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) remained stable at 1 in 4700 male births between 1969 and 2008. This common lethal genetic disease showed no change in diagnosis age over the 30-year study period.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common, lethal genetic disorder.
- Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis may impact DMD incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of DMD in Nova Scotia from 1969 to 2008.
- To assess changes in DMD diagnosis age over time.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed DMD patient records from 1969-2008.
- Utilized Statistics Canada data for annual male births in Nova Scotia.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of DMD was consistently 1 per 4700 male births.
- No significant change in the age at diagnosis was observed during the study period.
Conclusions:
- DMD incidence remained stable over 30 years.
- Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis have not yet demonstrably lowered DMD rates in this population.
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