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Living with Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2P

An inherited muscle condition with weakness and intellectual disability that begins in early childhood.

Understanding Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2P

Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2P is an inherited muscle condition with slowly worsening weakness and intellectual disability.

Weakness mainly affects muscles near the center of the body and starts in early childhood, with trouble walking and climbing stairs. Intellectual disability ranges from mild to severe. Other features include a small head, mildly larger thigh or calf muscles, and tight ankles.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Trouble climbing stairs
  • Delayed motor skills
  • Waddling, unsteady walk
  • Enlarged calf muscles
  • Intellectual disability
  • Limb-girdle muscle weakness

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in DAG1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Speak Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Speak Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Muscular Dystrophy Association and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Can genetic testing for the DAG1 gene confirm the diagnosis?
Which therapies can support learning and development?
Would therapy help with tight ankles and walking?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesDAG1

It is caused by changes in the DAG1 gene. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: alpha-dystroglycan-related lgmd r16; alpha-dystroglycan-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy r16; autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2p; autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy caused by mutation in dag1; dag1 autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy; lgmd type 2p

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2PGARD ID 12541 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2P.

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