Clinical and Genetic Landscape of Children With Congenital Muscular Dystrophies From North India

Congenital muscular dystrophies are inherited disorders defined by early-onset muscle weakness, motor delay, and dystrophic muscle pathology. This study aimed to report the clinical and genetic landscape of children with congenital muscular dystrophies from North India. Cognitive and motor outcomes and quality of life were evaluated during follow-up. In a cross-sectional study, 42 children aged <18 years with clinical and genetic diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy were enrolled. The most common congenital muscular dystrophy subtype was COL6-related dystrophy (RD) (32%), followed by LAMA2-RD (26%), LMNA-RD (19%), α-dystroglycanopathy (α-DG; 9%), and CHKB-RD (5%). Motor and cognitive outcomes were was assessed in 33 (78%) children during follow-up, 45% (n = 19) were able to ambulate independently. Median value of the Motor Function Measure (MFM) score was 60 (interquartile range [IQR] 33-74), Brooke was 2 (IQR 1-4), and Vigno score was 6 (IQR 3-9). The median Medical Research Council sum score was 40 (IQR 29-47) and Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) score was 83.5 (IQR 64-86). The motor outcome and quality of life were worst affected in children with α-DG and LAMA2-RD. Hence, in a cohort of children with congenital muscular dystrophy from North India, COL6-RD and LAMA2-RD were the most common congenital muscular dystrophy subtypes. Motor impairment in children with congenital muscular dystrophy is profound, the majority being nonambulant and the children with α-DG most severely affected.