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/duːˈʃɛn/ Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) is a severe type ofmuscular dystrophypredominantly affecting boys.The onset ofmuscle weaknesstypically begins around age four, with rapid progression.Initially,muscle lossoccurs in the thighs andpelvis, extending to the arms,which can lead to difficulties in standing up.By the age of 12, most individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are unable to walk.Affected muscles may appear larger due to an increase infatcontent,andscoliosisis common.Some individuals may experienceintellectual disability,and females carrying a single copy of the mutated gene may show mild symptoms. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations or deletions in any of the 79exonsencoding the largedystrophinprotein, which is essential for maintaining the muscle fibers'cell membraneintegrity.The disorder follows anX-linke​‍​​​​​‍​‍‍‍‍​‍‍d recessive inheritancepattern, with approximately two-thirds of casesinheritedfrom the mother and one-third resulting from a newmutation.Diagnosis can frequently be made at birth throughgenetic testing, and elevatedcreatine kinaselevels in thebloodare indicative of the condition. While there is no known cure, management strategies such asphysical therapy,braces, and corrective surgery may alleviate symptoms.Assisted ventilationmay be required in those with weakness ofbreathing muscles.Several drugs designed to address the root cause are currently available includinggene therapy(Elevidys), andantisense drugs(Ataluren,Eteplirsenetc.).Other medications used includeglucocorticoids(Deflazacort,Vamorolone);calcium channel blockers(Diltiazem); to slow skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration,anticonvulsantsto controlseizuresand some muscle activity, andHistone deacetylase inhibitors(Givinostat) to delay damage to dyingmuscle cells. Various figures of the occurrence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy are reported. One source reports that it affects about one in 3,500 to 6,000 males at birth in the U.S.,(or 17 to 29 per 100,000 U.S. male births). Another source reports Duchenne muscular dystrophy being a rare disease and having an occurrence of 7.1 per 100,000 male births globally.A number of sources referenced in this article indicate an occurrence of 6 per 100,000. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy,with a medianlife expectancyof 27–31 years.However, with comprehensive care, some individuals may live into their 30s or 40s.Duchenne muscular dystrophy is considerably rarer in females, occurring in approximately one in 50,000,000 live female births.