I have Myotonic Dystrophy but my 10 year old daughter seems fine at present. Should I have her tested?
It is probably best to leave well alone at present, if as you say, she has no symptoms or other features to suggest Myotonic Dystrophy. If you do have any concerns then a careful physical examination by an expert would be sensible. If this is entirely normal then most people feel that tests for the gene should be delayed until she is older and can understand the reasons since these would be genetic rather than medical. The exact age will of course vary depending on her own personality and maturity as well as on your family situation. In general it is felt that tests for the genes that might cause disease in later life are an area where people need to make up their own minds, rather than having parents decide for them. This is a difficult subject and needs careful thought.
