What muscle groups show weakness first in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

In Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the weakness typically begins in the proximal muscles, which are closer to the body's center. This pattern of weakness starts with the shoulder girdle muscles and progresses to the pelvic girdle. The neck flexors and abdominal muscles are indeed among the earliest to show signs of weakness.

As the disease progresses, patients may experience difficulty with head control, leading to challenges in activities such as sitting up and maintaining posture. Neck flexors play a crucial role in supporting the head, while the abdominal muscles assist in stabilizing the trunk and aiding movement. Weakness in these muscle groups is often one of the initial clinical signs that can be observed during developmental assessments in children diagnosed with DMD.

Other muscle groups, such as those in the calves, thighs, shoulders, arms, lower back, and hip flexors, are affected later in the progression of the disease, highlighting the specific pattern of muscle involvement associated with DMD.