DMD and Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disabling and life-threatening X-linked genetic disorder caused by defects in the gene for dystrophin that results in a progressive loss of functional muscle fibers and weakness with stereotypic functional consequences affecting mobility, progressive musculoskeletal deformities, upper limb impairment, impaired airway clearance and ventilation, cardiomyopathy, and premature death.1,2