Signs and Symptoms of Becker

WHAT CAUSES THE SYMPTOMS OF BECKER?

Becker is caused by a change in a gene called dystrophin. Dystrophin is a protein that acts as the glue that holds muscles together and the “shock absorber” that allows muscles to contract and relax without being damaged. Dystrophin is in every single muscle cell in our bodies. In individuals with Becker, dystrophin is made, but not always in the normal form or amount. Without fully functioning dystrophin, muscles are not able to function or repair themselves the way they should. This causes weakness over time. 

SIGNS OF BECKER

The diagnosis time for Becker muscular dystrophy can vary greatly as the symptoms of Becker can begin in childhood, the teenage years, or even later. Becker progresses differently for every person.

If you or any of your healthcare providers (pediatricians, nurse practitioners, family practice providers, etc.) notice one or more of the symptoms listed below, or if you or anyone has concerns regarding delayed development in gross motor, skills fine motor skills or speech, a creatine kinase (CK, sometimes called creatine phosphokinase, or CPK) level should be checked. Learn more about CK levels in diagnosing Becker.

SYMPTOMS OF BECKER CAN INCLUDE:

  • Difficulties with walking, running, or climbing stairs
  • Frequent falls
  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle pain with physical activity
  • Heart abnormalities, including issues with rhythm and pumping
  • Learning difficulties
  • Speech delays

HOW DO I TALK TO MY DOCTOR ABOUT MY CONCERNS?

The following tools can help you or your healthcare provider determine whether you should be concerned at this time and help start a conversation with your child’s pediatrician.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – Physical Developmental Delays: What To Look For tool

Parents are usually the first to recognize that their child’s walking/crawling/running “isn’t quite right” or is “not quite the same as their first child/friend’s child.” Often parents bring these concerns to the attention of their child’s doctor or other healthcare provider, only to find that no one else is not overly concerned.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognizes that parents are the best people to listen to when it comes to developmental concerns. In order to address these concerns, the AAP has developed a tool, with input from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, to help parents determine whether they should be concerned at this time and how to follow up on their child’s progress. Please use this tool if you are concerned about your child’s physical developmental delays.

ChildMuscleWeakness.org

Primary care providers (pediatricians, nurse practitioners, family practice providers, etc.) care for hundreds of children and families within their practice, and there are hundreds of different diagnoses that they are presented with every week. In order to help these providers more easily recognize neuromuscular disorders, and to enable a quicker and earlier diagnosis, PPMD worked to develop ChildMuscleWeakness.org, a site developed for professionals to use to learn about the early identification of muscle weakness, view a motor surveillance tool, and download a screening and referral algorithm. Please be sure that your primary care providers are aware of this tool.

How can I be sure if my child has Becker?

Having an accurate, timely diagnosis is a critical aspect of care. There are reliable tests to help confirm a diagnosis of a person with Becker. Learn more about how Becker is diagnosed.

If you have received a diagnosis of Becker or have other questions, please reach out to PPMD’s Care Team careteam@parentprojectmd.org or schedule a 1:1 meeting with members of our team here.