Childhood-onset nemaline myopathy

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.

Childhood onset nemaline myopathy, or mild nemaline myopathy is a type of nemaline myopathy (NM; see this terms) characterized by distal muscle weakness, and sometimes slowness of muscle contraction.

The annual incidence of NM has been estimated at 1/50,000 live births.

Childhood onset NM might represent 10-15% of total cases. Onset is around 10 years of age, with initial presentation of symmetric weakness of ankle dorsiflexion and foot drop, or a general slowness of muscle contraction. All movements at the ankle and more proximal limb muscles may be disturbed. Weakness is slowly progressive. Facial, respiratory and cardiac muscles are generally normal, but patients are unable to jump or run because of muscle weakness or slowness.

This form of NM is caused by mutations in the ACTA1 (1q42.13), NEB (2q22), TPM2 (9p13.3) or TPM3 (1q21.2) genes, and its transmission follows an autosomal dominant pattern.

Visit the Orphanet disease page for more resources.

Last updated: 10/1/2011

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