Is nemaline myopathy fatal?

Six different clinical subtypes of nemaline myopathy have been identified based on disease severity and age of onset, ranging from a severe congenital-onset (at birth) form that is usually lethal in the first few months of life, through to less severe forms with onset in childhood or adulthood.

What is the prognosis for someone with nemaline myopathy?

Most patients are able to live an independent, active life. Severe congenital NM (10-20% of patients; see this term) is characterized by severe hypotonia and little spontaneous movement. Survival after infancy is rare.

Is nemaline myopathy a form of muscular dystrophy?

Nemaline myopathy is one of the neuromuscular diseases covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the United States.

What does nemaline myopathy do?

Nemaline myopathy is a disorder that primarily affects skeletal muscles, which are muscles that the body uses for movement. People with nemaline myopathy have muscle weakness (myopathy) throughout the body, but it is typically most severe in the muscles of the face, neck, and limbs. This weakness can worsen over time.

Is nemaline myopathy congenital?

The most common type of nemaline myopathy is the typical congenital type, which is characterized by muscle weakness and feeding problems beginning in infancy. Most of these individuals do not have severe breathing problems and can walk unassisted.

Is there a cure for Nemaline myopathy?

There is currently no effective treatment or cure to halt the progression, but management of the condition is very important and includes physiotherapy, and where necessary the use of ventilation and/or a feeding tube.

What does Nemaline myopathy do?

Is Nemaline myopathy genetic?

Nemaline myopathy is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern , which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

What causes Nemaline myopathy?

This disease is caused by a variety of genetic defects, each one affecting one of the filament proteins required for muscle tone and contraction. It can be inherited in an autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant pattern, meaning it can be produced by defective genes contributed by either one or both parents.