Muscular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant disorder that refers to a group of disorders that involve a progressive loss of muscle mass and consequent loss of strength. The most common form is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It typically affects young boys, but other variations can strike in adulthood.
Muscular dystrophy is caused by genetic mutations that interfere with the production of muscle proteins that are needed to build and maintain healthy muscles. The causes are genetic.