Becker muscular dystrophy

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Becker muscular dystrophy (bek-er) n. a sex-linked (X-linked) disorder in which affected males develop an increase in muscle size followed by weakness and wasting. It usually starts between the ages of 5 and 15, and 25 years after onset most patients are wheelchair-bound. Although most men become severely disabled, life expectancy is close to normal. The disorder is similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy but less severe. [ P. E. Becker (1908– ), German geneticist]