Which condition is indicated by a waddle when a child walks?

A waddling gait in children can often be indicative of several underlying conditions, but it is closely associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This condition is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy typically experience weakness in the pelvic girdle muscles, which are vital for maintaining balance and stability during walking. As these muscles weaken, children may develop a waddle as a compensatory mechanism to maintain their balance while moving.

The waddle results from the way the body compensates for weakness; children may shift their weight from side to side and widen their stance to stabilize themselves, leading to the characteristic gait. Early signs of this condition often emerge between ages 2 and 5, which coincides with the time children typically start walking and running independently.

Other conditions mentioned, while they may also affect walking, generally do not lead to a waddling gait in the same way. For instance, cerebral palsy can present with various movement patterns, primarily depending on the type of cerebral palsy and muscle tone, but is not typically described as a waddling gait. Spinal muscular atrophy involves muscle weakness and atrophy, but the gait is often more hindered due to overall weakness rather than a waddle.