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Werdnig-Hoffmann disease

noun

Werd·​nig-Hoff·​mann disease ˈvert-nik-ˈhof-ˌmän- How to pronounce Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (audio)
: atrophy of muscles that is caused by degeneration of the ventral horn cells of the spinal cord, is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, becomes symptomatic during early infancy, is characterized by hypotonia and flaccid paralysis, and is often fatal during childhood

called also Werdnig-Hoffmann syndrome

compare kugelberg-welander disease

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Cite this Entry

“Werdnig-Hoffmann disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/Werdnig-Hoffmann%20disease. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

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