Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Definition
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue. It mainly affects the face, shoulder, and upper arm muscles.
See also: Muscular dystrophy
Alternative Names
Landouzy-Dejerine muscular dystrophyCauses
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy affects the upper body, unlike Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy, which affect the lower body.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder. It appears in both men and women and may develop in a child if either parent carries the gene for the disorder.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy affects approximately 5 out of 100,000 people. It affects men and women equally.
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