Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a group of over 30 genetic disorders characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles, caused by defects in protective proteins that lead to muscle fiber damage, degeneration, and eventual loss of function. Symptoms vary widely in age of onset, severity, and muscle involvement, with all forms progressively worsening over time. Some types also affect cardiac muscle, potentially leading to heart failure. The condition is not contagious or injury-induced, and clinical features may overlap with other myopathies such as congenital myopathy and spinal muscular atrophy, complicating diagnosis. In animals, a similar syndrome can result from nutritional deficiencies in vitamin E or selenium, manifesting as cardiac and musculoskeletal abnormalities, including myocardial lesions with hyaline degeneration and necrosis.