INTERVIEWS WITH PARENTS OF BOYS SUFFERING FROM DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Abstract

Parents from 53 families of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were interviewed to explore their reactions to the diagnosis and the effects of the disease on family life. The findings are discussed in terms of the problems reported by the parents, their experiences at the time of diagnosis, their views on neonatal screening, the effects on the marital relationship, on siblings and on the affected boys themselves, and the parents' need for better information about the disorder.