Every child is different, so they progress through various developmental stages at different times.
This can delay the diagnosis of Duchenne because, oftentimes, parents and health care providers assume the child is a late bloomer or that another, more common disorder is to blame.
The average age of diagnosis for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is around four years old. Prior to this age, a child may exhibit very few symptoms and without any family history, these unremarkable symptoms may go unnoticed by their parents. However, there may come a time when parents start to realize their child is having difficulty keeping up with their peers, in terms of mobility and other developmental milestones. This is where your journey to diagnosis begins.
The prevalence of misdiagnosis and importance of getting early support to address Duchenne symptoms drives us to provide families with accurate information, so they can make informed decisions and get their child the help they need sooner.
Every child is different, and they progress through various developmental stages at different times. Understanding the signs and symptoms of Duchenne can lead to an early diagnosis, which is very important for reasons you’ll learn about here.
Unless there is a family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the journey towards a diagnosis is not always straightforward. Learn about the different types of assessments and tests that can be done to help you and your family find answers.