Muscular Dystrophy statistics

MelH · Feb 6, 2003

Well, I don't know how much this will help you but if you have the book or you try the books website you might find some information regarding the content you are looking for. One book is the medical surgical book by ignatavicius and Maternal-child nursing byt McKinney, et al. If you have these books theses are really good resources, especially Mckinney, but if you don't try your instructors, they may have a copy or can direct you in the direction where you need to go. Another thing I always do is in my browser window (at the top of your screen) enter in "muscular dystrophy in children" that should bring up a wealth of information. I hope this helps. Good luck!

sunnygirl272 · Feb 6, 2003

WOW..without giving you any results...i did a search and came up with w ton of results!!!

essarge · Feb 6, 2003

I did a search on the internet and could not find the prevelence (statistics). That is the first thing I need. Then the instructor wants resources...got that one. Then she wants the needs of the population that has MDA..this is a tough one but I'm sure I'll come up with that one. The main thing I need right now are statistics pertaining to pediatrics (up to age 19). Thank you for all of your help. It is greatly appreciated!!

sunnygirl272 · Feb 6, 2003

what words did you use for your search?

essarge · Feb 6, 2003

let's see...muscular dystropy, muscular dystrophy in children, muscular dystrophy statistics, muscular dystrophy prevelence, and at google I used all of the above and also muscular dystrophy statistics in children. I'm running out of ideas!!

Dionysus · Feb 7, 2003

Which search engine did you use? I find that a search on google.com, will produce more, and better results than most other search engine's. Just sometimes you have to go through a lot, and sometimes it's quicker to just bring up the best sites of a particular subject, and search through those ones. Having said that, a term you may want to add to your search might be 'epidemiology'. And also, don't be afraid of opening up any recent med-surg textbook. The afore mentioned mat-child book is also really good.

Also try checking out the library for journals. The best and most recent information can be found in them. They can be time consuming to go through, but I find that when doing a paper, the journals are often 10x more helpful than any textbook. If your library has access a more convenient way to access some journals are through online research databases. You may be able to find the information you need this way. Sorry I can't recommend any good pediatric journals, as i'm not familiar with them yet. Although I guess I should be, I'm considering getting into pediatrics now....?

Oh well, good luck with your project.

2MagnoliaTrees · Feb 8, 2003

This won't help you but I've lost 2 nephews to Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy and their brother also has it without a good outlook. God Bless.

essarge · Feb 8, 2003

2Magnolia, I'm very sorry for your loss. I have recieved some information from MDA which has helped. If you would, I would like to talk to you (through PM) about the family and the needs that they have with this terrible disease. Only if you are comfortable though. Thanks.

2MagnoliaTrees · Feb 18, 2003

Just saw your private message today and replied thru that. I don't mind letting you know what I remember. The oldest son wasn't officially diagnosed until later in the disease. He walked until he was 8 or 9. Once he broke his leg that was it for the walking. He went into a wheelchair. He went to school every day but once the lower body lost control then the upper body lost control pretty quickly. His chest got barrell shaped with not much fat or cushion. No oxygen, feeding tubes or anything. Mostly skin and bones. He needed to be lifted, changed, fed and helped with everything. He died immediately from heart failure after completing a day at school. He was 13. the second son went a little longer. We saw him walking Ok. Then he'd fall and pick himself up on his own. Then he'd fall and we'd have to pick him up. Then it got to where there was no more walking. His body started to look just like his older brother's had, barrell chested and loss of upper control pretty quickly. He had to have a breathing machine at night just to help him keep his collapsed lung going. No feeding tubes but more liquid nourishmnet required. Couldn't even scratch his nose at the end. Full of pain every where and touching him hurt him a lot. He died pretty much from just his body wearing out. He was 16. Youngest son seems to have gone a little slower. He's in a motorized wheelchair but there are signs of loss of upper body control. He attends school. He is 14 years old. Has to be watched for pneumonia which would dramatically bring his health down quickly. Beginning to look like both older brothers as far as body and muscle control.

2MagnoliaTrees · Feb 18, 2003

Oh we were told that females carried the gene but the males got the disease from the mother. They have one sister but she has never married or had children.

essarge · Feb 19, 2003

Thank you very much for your reply. It will help a great deal. I sent you another pm.

Again, thank you very much!:)