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NINDS Congenital Myopathies Information Page Synonym(s): Reviewed 05-06-2003 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What are Congenital Myopathies?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What are Congenital Myopathies? Congenital myopathy is a term for any muscle disorder present at birth. By this definition the congenital myopathies could include hundreds of distinct neuromuscular syndromes and disorders. In general, congenital myopathies cause loss of muscle tone and muscle weakness in infancy and delayed motor milestones, such as walking, later in childhood. Three distinct disorders are definitively classified as congenital myopathies: central core disease, nemaline rod myopathy, and centronuclear (myotubular) myopathy. Central core disease is a dominantly inherited genetic disease characterized by mild leg weakness appearing in infancy. This weakness does not progress with age, but leads to delay in walking. Nemaline rod myopathy is a dominantly or recessively inherited, genetic disease characterized by infantile muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone, accompanied by problems in suckling or feeding, delay in walking, and occasionally respiratory problems. Other characteristics surface with maturity, such as reduction of muscle bulk, weakness of the trunk and limbs, and development of a long and abnormally shaped face with a protruding jaw. Muscle weakness and wasting may progress slowly throughout life. Centronuclear (myotubular) myopathy is an inherited genetic disorder characterized by muscle weakness and loss of tone present at birth or by development of muscle weakness later in infancy. Weakness gets gradually worse and can become moderately severe. Infants may have ophthalmoplegia or paralysis of the eye muscles. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Muscular Dystrophy Association
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Genetic Alliance Related NINDS Publications and Information
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history. All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated. Provided by: | |||||
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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