children s health issues
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
Symptoms of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
Symptoms of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy usually begin gradually between the ages of 7 and 20. The facial and shoulder muscles are always affected, so a child has difficulty whistling, closing the eyes tightly, or raising the arms. Some people with the disorder also develop a footdrop (the foot flops down). People also frequently have hearing loss and eye problems. The weakness is rarely severe, and many people are not disabled and have a normal life expectancy. However, other people need to use a wheelchair in adulthood. In one form that develops in infancy, children have rapidly progressive muscle weakness and severe disability. 