Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD): Symptoms in Newborns and Infants
Written by the Muscular Dystrophy Pakistan (MDP) content team. Based on information from Cleveland Clinic, Muscular Dystrophy News, NINDS and published research (see sources below). Last updated: October 16, 2026. "My baby feels floppy, like a rag doll." "She hardly moves her arms and legs." "He cries weakly and takes a long time to feed." These are the words of many parents of babies with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) . Unlike most muscular dystrophies, which appear later in childhood or adulthood, CMD shows up at birth or in the first months of life. In many families, especially when the baby looks otherwise healthy, the signs are explained away as "weakness", "a lazy baby" or "he will grow out of it". This guide explains CMD in simple words: what it is, what causes it, its main types, how to recognise the signs in newborns and infants, how it is diagnosed, and what care is available. Quick facts CMD is a group...