Review of duchenne muscular dystrophy (Dmd) for the pediatricians in the community

Dmd is a life-limiting disorder. Pediatricians can play a vital role inscreening, diagnosis, and management of the affected children. Observing young children walk and squat during well-child examination, CK level testing in suspicious cases, and referral to muscular dystrophy clinics, if available, can help decrease the delay in diagnosis of DMD. Pediatricians can play an important role in coordinating treatment and follow-up of affected patients with a multidisciplinary team. Pediatricians can also be a great resource in encouraging genetic testing and counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and newborn screening for affected families.