Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is a rare, autosomal recessive form of muscular dystrophy (weakness and breakdown of muscular tissue) mainly described in Japan but also identified in Turkish and Ashkenazi Jewish patients; fifteen cases were first described on 1960 by Dr. Yukio Fukuyama.FCMD mainly affects the brain, eyes, and muscles, in particular, the disorder affects development of the skeletal muscles leading to weakness and deformed appearances, and brain development is blunted affecting cognitive functioning as well as social skills. In 1995, the disorder was linked to mutations in a gene coding for the protein fukutin (the FCMD gene). Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy is the second most prevalent form of muscular dystrophy in Japan. One out of every 90 people in Japan is a heterozygous carrier. Symptoms and signs
In terms of the signs/symptoms of Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy it is characterized by a decrease in skeletal muscle tone as well as an impairment in brain and eye development. Initial symptoms of FCMD present in early infancy as decreased ability to feed. Marked differences in facial appearance occur due to decreased muscle tone. Further characteristics include:
Seizures
Delay in development
Cardiac issues
Swallowing difficulty
Neurological problemsFukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy also affects the nervous system and various associated parts. FCMD affects normal development of the brain producing a broadly smooth, bumpy shaped cortex named cobblestone lissencephaly as well as various other malformations, notably micropolygyria. Children also experience delayed myelination in the brain.
Prognosis
Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy has a poor prognosis. Most children with FCMD reach a maximum mobility at sitting upright and sliding. Due to the compounded effects of continually worsening heart problems, impaired mental development, problems swallowing and additional complications, children with FCMD rarely live through adolescence, the disorder proves fatal by age 20. See also
Congenital muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy

References
Further reading
Aida, N.; Tamagawa, K.; Takada, K.; Yagishita, A.; Kobayashi, N.; Chikumaru, K.; Iwamoto, H. (1996-04-01). "Brain MR in Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy". American Journal of Neuroradiology. 17 (4): 605–613. ISSN 0195-6108. PMID 8730178. Saito, Fumiaki; Matsumura, Kiichiro (2011-01-01). "Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy and defective glycosylation of α-dystroglycan". Skeletal Muscle. 1: 22. doi:10.1186/2044-5040-1-22. ISSN 2044-5040. PMC 3156645. Fukuyama type muscular dystrophy at NIHs Office of Rare Diseases


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