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Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
Abstract
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Synonyms of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
- Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy
- FMD
- FSH
- FSHD
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral
- Muscular Dystrophy, Landouzy Dejerine
Disorder Subdivisions
- Infantile Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
General Discussion
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), also known as Landouzy-Dejerine muscular dystrophy, is a neuromuscular disorder. Symptom onset usually occurs in adolescence or early adulthood; however, less commonly, symptoms may become apparent as early as infancy or early childhood.
The disorder is typically initially characterized by weakness of facial, shoulder, and/or upper arm muscles. Associated abnormalities may include an impaired ability to completely close the eyes, limited movements of the lips, and difficulties raising the arms over the head. Affected individuals may also eventually develop weakness and associated wasting (atrophy) of muscles of the hips and thighs and/or involvement of lower leg muscles.
Although the disease course may be variable, FSHD is most typically characterized by relatively slow disease progression. Specific symptoms and findings may also vary in range and severity, including among affected members of the same family (kindred).
FSHD is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. However, in up to approximately 30 percent of affected individuals, there is no apparent family history of the disorder. In some of these cases, FSHD may be due to new genetic changes (mutations) that appear to occur spontaneously for unknown reasons (sporadically).
Organizations related to Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
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