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12 | InTouch WINTER 2026 Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) is named after German doctor Peter Emil Becker, who first distinguished the symptoms from other muscular dystrophies in the mid 1950s. BMD is considered to be a milder form of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), as both are caused by mutations in the same gene, and thus has similar symptoms. BMD occurs once in approximately 30,000 live male births. What is Becker Muscular Dystrophy? YOUR CONDITION IN REVIEW What are the features of Becker Muscular Dystrophy? BMD is very variable in severity, depending on the type of mutation in the dystrophin gene. It is less severe than DMD and usually has a much later onset. Some people with BMD are able to walk well into adulthood. BMD, therefore, may not be diagnosed until after adolescence. The following features may be displayed: • Muscle weakness • Muscle cramps • Fatigue • Breathing distress • Skeletal deformities • Unusual walking gait; waddling • Difficulties in hopping, running, jumping • Breathing and cardiac abnormalities as issues that arise later on in life, and breathing difficulties as one of the rarer complications of BMD • Muscle deformities – pseudo hypertrophy of calf; contractures. (Contractures are muscles or tendons that have remained too tight for too long, thus becoming shorter. Once they occur, they cannot be stretched or exercised away.) Some children with BMD will experience further complications: • A minority of BMD children will display intellectual problems or learning difficulties. • Behavioural difficulties will on occasion arise with BMD, affecting the boy’s social interactions at home, at school and in other areas of his life. Such problems are usually mild and can be appropriately managed. • Rarely, heart disease such as cardiomyopathy will occur as the disease progresses. • Contractures occur as scar tissue replaces normal elastic tissue. This prevents normal movement in that area, first in the ankles, then knees, hips and joints of the upper body. What causes Becker Muscular Dystrophy? BMD is a genetic condition caused by a defect in the dystrophin gene located on the X chromosome. The faulty gene results in a deficiency of the protein dystrophin, causing muscles to deteriorate and break down in males. The dystrophin gene is located on the X chromosome. Females have BMD is a genetic condition caused by a defect in the dystrophin gene located on the X chromosome.