Prenatal Diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD) is an X-linked recessive disease caused by mutations in the
dystrophin gene, resulting in progressive muscle wasting. DMD is the most common lethal disease,
affecting one in 3500 newborn males. One third of DMD cases are caused by a new mutation. Prenatal
diagnosis is important in the detection and the prevention of DMD.