Carrier detection in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, and percentage lymphocyte capping was determined in ten patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 12 carriers (nine definite and three probable), 16 other female relatives, and eight normal controls. There was no detectable difference in lymphocyte capping ability between any of these clinical groups. Significant myoglobinaemia was present in all the affected males, but the difference in levels between carriers and controls suggested that this test has no advantage over creatine kinase estimations in carrier detection.