Definition of Friedreich's ataxia
1. Noun. Sclerosis of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord; characterized by muscular weakness and abnormal gait; occurs in children.
Medical Definition of Friedreich's ataxia
1.
An autosomal recessive inherited disorder that leads to the progressive dysfunction of the cerebellum, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
Symptoms usually begin in childhood before puberty and consist of an unsteady gait (ataxia), slurred speech (dysarthria) and jerky eye movements (nystagmus).
Other findings include kyphoscoliosis, hammer toe, heart disease and high arches. Congestive heart failure is a common complication. There is no known treatment and prognosis is poor.
Inheritance: autosomal recessive.
(07 Apr 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Friedreich's Ataxia
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