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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Myotonic Dystrophy Is A Hereditary Infection And Will Be Passed To Our Children?

My husband is 69 and had a muscle biopsy that the results showed a mild form of muscular dystrophy, such as myotonic dystrophy. There is no one on either his mothers side or his fathers side that has this. We are talking about over a 100 people. He is a Vietnam vet and was exposed to agent orange. He already is considered 100% so this wouldn t affect his compensation. I just want to know if it is possible and will this gene now bw passed on to our children?
Thu, 30 Oct 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. There are two major forms:

DM1 known as Steinert's disease
DM2 recognized recently and recognized as a milder version of DM1.

The prevalence of DM is 1 in 8000 in the general population. Both types of myotonic dystrophy are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In most cases, an affected person has one parent with the condition.

Not every affected parent will cause the disease in every child.
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Note: For detailed guidance on genetic screening consult a genetics specialist
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Is Myotonic Dystrophy Is A Hereditary Infection And Will Be Passed To Our Children?

Hi, Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. There are two major forms: DM1 known as Steinert s disease DM2 recognized recently and recognized as a milder version of DM1. The prevalence of DM is 1 in 8000 in the general population. Both types of myotonic dystrophy are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In most cases, an affected person has one parent with the condition. Not every affected parent will cause the disease in every child.