children s health issues
Introduction to Muscular Dystrophies and Related Disorders
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Congenital muscular dystrophy is not a single disorder but instead refers to muscular dystrophy that is present at birth. Congenital muscular dystrophies result from mutations in a variety of different Genes , including the genes needed for normal muscle structure and function. Newborns who have a congenital muscular dystrophy have severely reduced muscle tone (hypotonia, or "floppiness"). Doctors suspect the diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy in any newborn who has floppy muscle tone. Doctors usually do a muscle biopsy and Genetic Screening Before Pregnancy to confirm the diagnosis. Physical therapy Treatment of congenital muscular dystrophy includes Physical Therapy (PT) , which may help maintain muscle function. 