Progressive Muscular Dystrophy in Infancy

Summary Clinical features of 11 cases of muscular dystrophy in infancy were discussed. From the detailed symptomatological analysis of the 11 patients we reported here, we found two subgroups of infantile muscular dystrophy. There were 6 cases of congenital cerebro-muscular dystrophy (Fukuyama) and 5 cases characterized by comparatively late onset, no sexual preference, proximally dominant muscle wasting, infrequence of associated joint contractures, normal facial muscle and no mental deficiency. The characteristics of this latter group in infantile muscular dystrophy are similar to those of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. It is suggested that some of the patients with limb-girdle type of muscular dystrophy may have its onset in infancy.