Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Test
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Screening in Kenya
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder which occurs mostly in boys. The signature feature of DMD is muscle weakness which progressively gets worse with time. The Duchenne muscular dystrophy genetic test determines if one is a carrier of the defective gene that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This test also diagnoses DMD disease.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Weak, thin thighs and legs.
Difficulty walking up stairs.
Difficulty walking that gets worse over time.
Frequent falls.
Enlarged calf muscles.
Fatigue.
Tiptoeing.
Waddling gait.
Developmental delays.
Short stature.
Curved back.
Delays in speech and language development.
Breathing problems and shortness of breath.
Cardiomyopathy.
Cognitive impairment and learning disabilities.
Who should Get Tested?
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy screening is recommended for the following people:
Any person with the above symptoms.
Any person with developmental delay and intellectual disabilities.
Couples planning to start their families and want to know about their carrier status.
Any individual or couple going through assisted reproduction, including IVF.
Family or personal history of DMD genetics and inheritance.
Any person with speech and language delay.
Any person showing symptoms of autism or learning disabilities of unknown cause.
People with a family history of a genetic mutation.
High-risk population groups for specific diseases.
Couples who are already pregnant and want to know whether their child has a risk of having a genetic disease.
Any individual wishing to know more about their genetic background.
Sperm and oocyte donors, and recipients of sperm or oocyte donation.
Required Samples
A simple cheek swab sample is needed.
Turnaround Time
Results come out in 2-3 weeks