Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)

Respiratory care

Rarely, the diaphragm can become affected, leading to breathing difficulties, especially at night. Sleep apnoea (significant pauses in breathing or shallow, infrequent breathing during sleep) may be experienced by people with CMT.

Medication and anaesthetic precautions

It is important that medical practitioners are aware of a diagnosis of CMT when prescribing new medication.

Anaesthetic precautions

Anaesthetics should not cause a particular problem, providing the correct protocol for people with neuromuscular conditions is followed.

Reprinted with permission of Muscular Dystrophy UK.  Reviewed by Dr J Wilmshurst, Head of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital