Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD)

Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a term for a group of muscular dystrophies present at birth or that appear early during infancy.

A baby born with congenital muscular dystrophy is weak at birth and may have breathing and swallowing problems. In recent times, better supportive care has extended lives.

Congenital muscular dystrophy

Symptoms

Children with CMD tend to show signs and symptoms of progressive muscle weakness, although they can have varying degrees of severity and rates of progression.

CMD first manifests in infants as a lack of muscle tone (hypotonia). Babies may appear to be floppy. Infants may also show delays achieving motor milestones such as sitting, holding their head up and rolling over.

The 8 main types of CMD are

Bethlem myopathy
Fukuyama CMD (Dystroglycanopathy)
Laminin a2 related dystrophy
Merosin-deficient CMD
Muscle-eye-brain disease (Dystroglycanopathy)
SEPN1 related myopathy or rigid spine muscular dystrophy
Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy
Walker-Warburg Syndrome (Dystroglycanopathy)

For the comprehensive list of 33 types visit:

https://www.mda.org/disease/congenital-muscular-dystrophy/types/cmd-chart

We are here to support you

Call our Infoline

1800 676 364

Register with us

By becoming registered with Muscular Dystrophy Queensland you will be able to gain access to relevant supports.

At Muscular Dystrophy Queensland we don’t see you as just a client. You are a valued member of our community. We’re here to support you through every stage of life. We’d like to keep in touch with you, to understand your needs as they evolve and provide you with ongoing access to our range of services. And so, we ask you to register with us.

Medical Alert Cards

Muscular Dystrophy Queensland has created condition-specific alert cards for the most diagnosed neuromuscular conditions.

These cards mean that people living with neuromuscular conditions and their families will have the security of knowing they can easily inform emergency health care professionals of the vital and specific issues that affect children and adults with these conditions.

Order our Medical Alert Card for Congential muscular dystrophy

Order your Medical Alert Cards