Early recognition of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: where could we improve?

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene and most common form of childhood-onset affecting approximately 1 3500 newborn boys. The disease invariably progressive patients with DMD exhibit signs muscle weakness before 5 years age. Loss ability to walk usually occurs between 10 13 years. Despite all advances management treatment over last decades, mean age at diagnosis has been reported be around 4.5-5 several countries delay about 2 first symptoms are noted, diagnosis.