Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a term used for a group of genetic muscle-wasting conditions, in which the symptoms become apparent at an early age (congenital means ‘from birth’). They cause muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasing disability. They can also cause learning difficulties.

​

Of the 10,000 people in the UK who have a form of muscular dystrophy, it is thought that about 400 have CMD. The two most common forms of the condition are Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, which affects about 50 percent of people with CMD, and merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy, which affects 25 percent.