Normally, DMD carriers do not show symptoms. This is because, if a girl inherits the faulty dystrophin gene, she has a ‘back-up’ healthy copy of the dystrophin gene on her other X chromosome, which usually compensates for the faulty one and produces enough of the dystrophin protein.2
However, sometimes a carrier is unable to produce enough dystrophin. This means that they will experience some signs and symptoms of DMD, which can be treated in the same way as boys with the condition.2
If a woman is a DMD carrier, she may have another baby with DMD.2
The chances of a carrier having a child with DMD are 1 in 4 (or 25%). This means that for every baby she has, there is a 1 in 4 chance that the child will have DMD.2
In all carriers, regular strength check-ups and close heart monitoring are important to make sure that any symptoms that may arise are properly treated.2 This is why it is so important for female relatives of a boy with DMD to get tested to find out whether or not they are carriers.
In all carriers, regular strength check-ups and close heart monitoring are important to make sure that any symptoms that may arise are properly treated.2 This is why it is so important for female relatives of a boy with DMD to get tested to find out whether or not they are carriers. Learn more about testing
(excluding UK and Ireland)
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