The Parents of a 3-Year-Old Boy Have Brought Him to a Pediatrician

Multiple Choice

The parents of a 3-year-old boy have brought him to a pediatrician for assessment of the boy's late ambulation and frequent falls. Subsequent muscle biopsy has confirmed a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Which of the following teaching points should the physician include when explaining the child's diagnosis to his parents?

A) "Your son's muscular dystrophy is a result of faulty connections between muscles and the nerves that normally control them."
B) "He'll require intensive physical therapy as he grows up, and there's a good chance that he will outgrow this problem as he develops."
C) "Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased lung function because of this."
D) "His muscles will weaken and will visibly decrease in size relative to his body size throughout his childhood."