Neuromuscular Disorders
Volume 18, Issue 1 , Pages 71-73, January 2008

Myoglobinuria in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on corticosteroid therapy

  • P. Garrood

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44 191 2418636; fax: +44 191 2418770.
    • ,
  • M. Eagle

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
    • ,
  • P.E. Jardine

      Affiliations

    • Bristol Children’s Hospital, Bristol BS2 8BJ, UK
    • ,
  • K. Bushby

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
    • ,
  • V. Straub

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK

Received 28 June 2007; received in revised form 28 June 2007; accepted 16 July 2007.

Abstract 

Myoglobinuria is a recognised complication of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but has only once been reported in ambulant boys on corticosteroid therapy [Dubowitz V, Kinali M, Main M, Mercuri E, Muntoni F. Remission of clinical signs in early Duchenne muscular dystrophy on intermittent low-dosage prednisolone therapy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2002;6(3):153–9.]. We present three prednisolone-treated boys with myoglobinuria and in two cases this was recurrent. All three showed improved motor performance in response to the introduction of corticosteroids. The greater activity of steroid-treated individuals may place their dystrophin-deficient muscles under greater mechanical stress, predisposing to further muscle fibre damage and consequent myoglobinuria. Families and physicians need to have an increased awareness of this possibility and of the appropriate management of myoglobinuria.

Keywords: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Myoglobinuria, Corticosteroids, Prednisolone

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PII: S0960-8966(07)00679-7

doi:10.1016/j.nmd.2007.07.006

Neuromuscular Disorders
Volume 18, Issue 1 , Pages 71-73, January 2008

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