Child neuromuscular disease in southern Norway. The prevalence and incidence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

In a survey carried out to determine the incidence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in South East Norway, 38 cases were ascertained among 149,975 live male births during the years 1968-1978. The overall incidence is 1:3,917 in live male births (25.33 x 10(-5). This incidence is compared with those in other studies. There is an apparent drop in incidence in the last cohort studied, and the possible role of genetic counselling and antenatal sexing are discussed.